* Ideogram: A symbol that represents an idea or concept, rather than a specific sound or word. Think of the symbols for "male" (♂) and "female" (♀). They don't sound out the words, but instantly convey the meaning.
* Illustrates: To explain or make something clear through examples or pictures.
So, an ideogram illustrates a concept or idea by visually representing it, often in a simplified and abstract way.
Here are some examples:
* Traffic Signs: Stop signs (an octagon), yield signs (a triangle), and speed limit signs (a circle) all use ideograms to convey their meaning quickly and universally.
* Mathematical Symbols: + (addition), - (subtraction), = (equals) all represent abstract concepts, and we understand them instantly.
* Emojis: 🙂, 😭, 👍 – these small pictures often convey emotions or actions more efficiently than words.
Let me know if you have any more questions about ideograms or how they work!