adv. [f. prec. + -LY2.] In a symbolical way.
1. In the manner of a symbol or emblem; by means of a symbol or symbols; emblematically.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 1307. Neither describeth he them symbolically…, but in proper and plaine termes.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 484. The lyon when he sleepeth hath his eies open,… and therefore the ancients did simbolically picture a lyon vpon the doors of their temples.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., I. ix. 36. Others symbolically intended are literally received.
a. 1677. Manton, Exp. Lord’s Pr., Matt. vi. 9, Wks. 1870, I. 58. In the temple … God was present symbolically, because there were the signs and tokens of his presence.
1681. Stair, Inst. Law Scot., xii. § 15. 197. Possession is attained Symbolically, where there is not use of the whole or a part, but only of a Symbol or Token.
1744. Berkeley, Siris, § 269. The Egyptians did symbolically represent the supreme Divinity sitting on a lotus.
1856. R. A. Vaughan, Mystics (1860), I. 54. The heaven those vain builders sought to reach, signifies symbolically the mind.
1899. W. R. Inge, Chr. Mysticism, vii. 252. Light and darkness are … only symbolically connected with life and death.
2. By, or in relation to, written symbols or significant characters; spec. in Math. (see SYMBOLIC 2 b).
1846. Sir W. R. Hamilton, in Camb. & Dubl. Math. Jrnl., I. 48. We shall interpret an equation such as DC = BA … as denoting that the two lines, of which the symbols are equated, have equal lengths and similar directions;… if we call such lines symbolically equal, it will be allowed [etc.].
1851. Rankine, Misc. Sci. Papers (1881), 50. To illustrate this symbolically, let V represent the volume occupied by unity of weight of the substance, [etc.].
1876. Preece & Sivewright, Telegraphy, 24. The binoxide of manganese is reduced to a lower oxide … What actually takes place may be symbolically represented as follows.
So Symbolicalness, the quality of being symbolical.
1633. D. R[ogers], Treat. Sacraments, I. 66. The Sacramentalnesse and Symbolicalnesse of the things of God.
1827. Hare, Guesses, Ser. I. (1847), 93. Nor is it without a prophetic symbolicalness that the sea fills so important a part in both the Homeric poems.
