semiotics

noun

Etymology: Coined by John Locke from Ancient Greek σημειωτικός (sēmeiōtikós, “fitted for marking, portending”), from σημειόω (sēmeióō, “to mark, interpret as a portend”), from σημεῖον (sēmeîon, “a mark, sign, token”), from σῆμα (sêma, “mark, sign”).

1. The study of signs and symbols, especially as means of language or communication.
2. The study of medical signs and symptoms; symptomatology.