− | The word "symbol" came to the [[English language]] by way of [[Middle English]], from [[Old French]], from [[Latin]], from the [[Greek language|Greek]] σύμβολον (''sýmbolon'') from the root words συν- (''syn-'') meaning "together" and βολή (''bolē'') "a throw", having the approximate meaning of "to throw together", literally a "co-incidence" (''[[:de:Zufall|zu-fall]]''), also "sign, ticket, or contract". The earliest attestation of the term is in the [[Homeric Hymns|Homeric Hymn]] to [[Hermes]] where Hermes on seeing the [[tortoise]] exclaims ''συμβολον ηδη μοι'' "''symbolon'' [symbol/sign/portent/encounter/chance find?] of joy to me!" before turning it into a [[lyre]]. | + | The word "symbol" came to the [[English]] [[language]] by way of [[Middle English]], from [[Old French]], from [[Latin]], from the [[Greek language|Greek]] σύμβολον (''sýmbolon'') from the root words συν- (''syn-'') meaning "together" and βολή (''bolē'') "a throw", having the approximate meaning of "to throw together", literally a "co-incidence" (''[[:de:Zufall|zu-fall]]''), also "sign, ticket, or contract". The earliest attestation of the term is in the [[Homeric Hymns|Homeric Hymn]] to [[Hermes]] where Hermes on seeing the [[tortoise]] exclaims ''συμβολον ηδη μοι'' "''symbolon'' [symbol/sign/portent/encounter/chance find?] of joy to me!" before turning it into a [[lyre]]. |