a thought completely without symbols, pictures, words or sound. It is the direct idea of something rather than its sound or symbol.a thought devoid of (completely without) symbols, pictures, words or sounds. It is the direct idea of something rather than its sound or symbol. See also symbol in this glossary.a thought devoid of (completely without) symbols, pictures, words or sounds. It is the direct idea of something rather than its sound or symbol.an idea or thought, especially a generalized idea of a class of objects.