Emblem
/ˈɛm.bləm/noun
A symbol or object that represents an idea, group, or quality.
Did you know?Emblem comes from Greek *emblēma*, originally an ornament or inlaid decoration, from *emballō* meaning “to throw in” — a reminder that symbols were once physical objects, not just ideas.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰel-
“to throw, to strike”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἐμβάλλειν (embállein)
“to throw in, put into”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἔμβλημα (émblēma)
“an inlaid ornament, inserted piece”
Late Latin
Latin
emblema
“ornamental inlay, mosaic figure”
Middle French
French
embleme
“device, symbol, figure”
16th Century
English
embleme
“a symbolic figure or ornament”
Modern English
English
emblem
“a symbol representing something”