Semeiotic
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Although it can be considered as a synonym of Semiotics, the term Semeiotic (or Semeiotics) is often used to refer more narrowly to Charles Sanders Peirce's theory of signs. A crucial characteristic of this specific theory of signs is the idea of the sign being a kind of relation, which Peirce defines as triadic. From this perspective, the sign is considered as a process of semiosis or signifying relation between three elements: the representament, the object, and the interpretant. Further developments of Peirce's semeiotics include several sign typologies, such as the distinction between "icon", "index" and "symbol" (an icon is a sign that denotes its objects by virtue of a quality that it shares with them; an index is a sign that denotes its objects by virtue of an existential connection twith them; a symbol is a sign that denotes its objects solely by virtue of the fact that it is interpreted to do so).
