symbology

noun

1. (uncountable)The study or use of symbols.
2. (countable)An encoding scheme, particularly for barcodes.

   “The pronounced symbology of antispecial privileges in schools and in society at large underscores the pervasive emphasis on the social equality of the common man.”

   “Two-dimensional symbologies provide a means of storing large amounts of data in a very small space. Stacked symbologies (linear bar codes stacked on top of each other), matrix symbologies (comprising a matrix of light and dark elements, circles, squares, or hexagons), and packet symbologies (a collection of linear symbols “randomly” arranged on a page) are commonly used.”