\Re"bus\, n.; pl. {Rebuses}. [L. rebus by things, abl. pl.
of res a thing: cf. F. r['e]bus. Cf. 3d things, abl. pl. of
res a thing: cf. F. r['e]bus. Cf. 3d {Real}.]
1. A mode of expressing words and phrases by pictures of
   objects whose names resemble those words, or the syllables
   of which they are composed; enigmatical representation of
   words by figures; hence, a peculiar form of riddle made up
   of such representations.
Note: A gallant, in love with a woman named Rose Hill, had,
      embroidered on his gown, a rose, a hill, an eye, a
      loaf, and a well, signifying, Rose Hill I love well.
2. (Her.) A pictorial suggestion on a coat of arms of the
   name of the person to whom it belongs. See {Canting arms},
   under {Canting}.

\Re"bus\, v. t.
To mark or indicate by a rebus.
      He [John Morton] had a fair library rebused with More
      in text and Tun under it.                --Fuller.