Ideogrammatically

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a way that signifies thoughts or concepts through visual representations rather than alphabetic text
2. By using symbolic imagery to communicate meanings distinct from conventional written language
3. In a manner that conveys meanings through graphical symbols instead of letters or words

Etymology: "Ideogrammatically" is a plain built-up adverb: it is the adjective "ideogrammatical" with the adverbial suffix "-ly" added to the end. The adjective in turn rests on "ideogram," a word for a graphic symbol that stands for an idea or thing rather than a sound. "Ideogram" combines the Greek "idea," meaning form or notion, with "gramma," meaning something written, so the whole word literally describes writing built from idea-symbols. The adverb therefore describes doing something in the manner of such symbols: conveying meaning through pictorial or symbolic imagery rather than through the sounds and words of conventional writing. Its meaning follows directly from its parts, with no sharp break or reversal along the way.

Synonyms: symbolically, representationally, iconically, figuratively, pictorially

Antonyms: literally, explicitly, directly, verbatim, realistically