Semiotic
/ˌsiː.miˈɒt.ɪk/noun
Relating to signs and symbols, especially in language, communication, and meaning-making.
Did you know?Semiotic comes from Greek sēmeion, a ‘sign’ or ‘mark,’ the same root behind medicine’s semiotics and the ancient idea that signs could reveal hidden truth.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰeh₁-
“to put, place, set”
Ancient Greek
Greek
sēmeion
“a sign, mark, token, or omen”
Ancient Greek
Greek
sēmeiōtikos
“pertaining to signs or sign-making”
Late Latin
Latin
semioticus
“pertaining to signs”
17th–19th Century
French/English
sémiotique / semiotic
“relating to signs, especially in logic and medicine”
Modern English
English
semiotic
“relating to signs and systems of meaning”