symbol >> ˈsɪmb(ə)l
Definition: [noun] a mark or character used as a conventional representation of an object, function, or process, e.g. the letter or letters standing for a chemical element or a character in musical notation.
Example: the symbol r in Figure 5 represents a gene which is ineffective
Definition: [noun] a thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract.
Example: the limousine was another symbol of his wealth and authority
Definition: [verb] symbolize.