a puzzle consisting of pictures representing syllables and words; in such a puzzle the word hear might be represented by H followed by a picture of an ear
2.
a heraldic emblem or device that is a pictorial representation of or pun on the name of the bearer
Word origin
C17: from French rébus, from the Latin rēbus by things, from res
rebus in American English
(ˈribəs)
noun
a kind of puzzle consisting of pictures of objects, signs, letters, etc., the combination of whose names suggests words or phrases
a picture of an eye followed by an L followed by an ampersand is a rebus for “island”
Word origin
Fr rébus < L, abl. pl. of res, thing (see real1), lit., (meaning indicated) by things