GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Rebus , n.; pl. Rebuses . [L. rebus by things, abl. pl. of res a thing: cf. F. rébus.  Cf. 3d Real.]
   A mode of expressing words and phrases by pictures of objects whose names resemble those words, or the syllables of which they are composed; enigmatical representation of words by figures; hence, a peculiar form of riddle made up of such representations.
   1913 Webster
   ☞ A gallant, in love with a woman named Rose Hill, had, embroidered on his gown, a rose, a hill, an eye, a loaf, and a well, signifying, Rose Hill I love well.
   1913 Webster
   (Her.) A pictorial suggestion on a coat of arms of the name of the person to whom it belongs. See Canting arms, under Canting.
   1913 Webster
         
       

2.       
   Rebus, v. t. To mark or indicate by a rebus.
   1913 Webster
   He [John Morton] had a fair library rebused with More in text and Tun under it.
   Fuller.
   
   1913 Webster