Iconicities

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A quality or characteristic that makes something widely recognized and admired; the state of being emblematic or representative of a certain concept or belief; an attribute that establishes something as a lasting symbol in popular culture or art
2. The condition of serving as a recognized symbol or representation within a specific context; a defining trait that invokes recognition and reverence; the essence of being an enduring icon in various forms of expression
3. The nature of being emblematic or serving as an ideal example in society; a unique characteristic that garners widespread fame and acknowledgment; a prominent feature that signifies cultural significance and representation

Etymology: "Iconicities" is the plural of "iconicity," a noun formed from the adjective "iconic" and the suffix "-ity," which turns an adjective into a noun of quality. The base "icon" comes from Greek "eikon," meaning image or likeness, and it passed into English through Latin "icon" as a term for a sacred painted image. The modern sense of "iconic," meaning emblematic or universally recognized, grew out of that image-based meaning, so an iconic object is one that works like a picture everyone instantly recognizes. The Latin source "iconicitas" lies behind the English noun, and its formation follows the same pattern: a quality of being like an image. Plurals of "iconicity" are used when speaking of several such qualities or of multiple examples of them, as in discussions of the distinctive features that make different works or brands memorable.