Learn English – Like onomatopoeia, but visual

phrase-requestssingle-word-requests

Onomatopoeia is defined as:

The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named (e.g. cuckoo, sizzle).

Is there a term for describing the formation of a word from a shape/image associated with what is named; and/or a word so formed?

The oldest word like that I can think of would be

delta

A triangular tract of sediment deposited at the mouth of a river, typically where it diverges into several outlets:

Origin: Mid 16th century: originally specifically as the Delta (of the River Nile), from the shape of the Greek letter

The newest I can think of would be XOXO (O and X are crude visual representations of a hug and a kiss respectively). I know it's arguably not a word, still…

Then we have words like U-turn, T-bone and V-neck, which are named after the shape of the letter (as against words like X-rays, A-team and B-boying)

Is there any term that describes words like this?

PS – If there isn't, neologisms are welcome in comments.

Best Answer

The word phenomime can be used for words that act like onomatopoeia (also known as phonomimes) for non-auditory sensory stimuli (the other four senses). They are quite common in Japanese, which also has psychomimes (words that act like onomatopoeia for emotions, thought processes, states of mind).

  • Phonomimes use word sounds to represent auditory stimuli, such as a bark, a meow, or a honk.
  • Phenomimes use word sounds to represent non-auditory stimuli, such as a flash, a twinkle, or a grope.
  • Psychomimes use word sounds to represent psychological stimuli, such as the pitter-pat of a quickened heart, dizziness, or reluctance.
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