The word 'symbol' originates from the Greek 'symbolon', which referred to a token, pledge, or sign. This term was formed from 'sym-' (together) and 'bolē' (a throw), literally meaning 'a throwing together'. In ancient practice, a 'symbolon' was an object, like a broken piece of a tablet, which two parties would break and keep halves of; when brought together ('thrown together'), the matching pieces would serve as a token of identity or agreement. Over time, this concrete notion of a physical token that represents an agreement or identity evolved into the modern abstract concept of a sign that stands for or represents an idea, quality, or entity.

Structure: sym (together) + bol (throw, cast) 'sym' is from Greek, a prefix meaning 'together, with'. 'bol' is from Greek 'bolē', meaning 'a throw, casting', derived from the verb 'ballein' (to throw).