iconology

[ ahy-kuh-nol-uh-jee ]

/ ˌaɪ kəˈnɒl ə dʒi /

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noun

the historical analysis and interpretive study of symbols or images and their contextual significance; iconography.

the study of icons or symbolic representations.

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Origin of iconology

First recorded in 1720–30; icono- + -logy

OTHER WORDS FROM iconology

i·con·o·log·i·cal

[ahy-kon-l-oj-i-kuhl, ahy-kuh-nl-], /aɪˌkɒn lˈɒdʒ ɪ kəl, ˌaɪ kə nl-/, adjectivei·co·nol·o·gist, noun

Words nearby iconology

iconoclast, iconoclastic, iconographic, iconography, iconolatry, iconology, iconomatic, iconophile, iconoscope, iconostasis, icosahedron

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use iconology in a sentence

A whole science arose out of these symbols and emblems: Iconology, which differs only in form from mythology.
A Manual of the Historical Development of Art|G. G. (Gustavus George) Zerffi
In the Lincoln iconology, his pictures before and after the whiskers is a distinction.
The Lincoln Story Book|Henry L. Williams
Iconology, ī-kon-ol′o-ji, n. the doctrine of images, especially with reference to worship.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for iconology

iconology

/ (ˌaɪkɒˈnɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

the study or field of art history concerning icons

icons collectively

the symbolic representation or symbolism of icons

Derived forms of iconology

iconological (aɪˌkɒnəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjectiveiconologist, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012