semiotics

noun (used with a singular verb)

1. the study of signs and symbols as elements of communicative behavior; the analysis of systems of communication, as language, gestures, or clothing.
2. a general theory of signs and symbolism, usually divided into the branches of pragmatics, semantics, and syntactics.

adjective Also se·mi·ot·i·cal.

1. of or relating to signs.
2. of or relating to semiotics.
3. Medicine/Medical. of or relating to symptoms; symptomatic.

noun

4. semiotics.

noun (functioning as singular)

1. the study of signs and symbols, esp the relations between written or spoken signs and their referents in the physical world or the world of ideasSee also semantics, syntactics, pragmatics
2. the scientific study of the symptoms of disease; symptomatology

adjective

1. relating to signs and symbols, esp spoken or written signs
2. relating to semiotics
3. of, relating to, or resembling the symptoms of disease; symptomatic

n.study of signs and symbols with special regard to function and origin, 1880, from semiotic; also see -ics. Medical sense is from 1660s. adj.1620s, “of symptoms, relating to signs of diseases,” from Greek semeiotikos “significant,” also “observant of signs,” adjective form of semeiosis “indication,” from semeioun “to signal, to interpret a sign,” from semeion “a sign, mark, token,” from sema “sign” (see semantic). Its use in psychology dates to 1923. Related: Semiotical (1580s).