Logos is a Greek root word meaning word, speech or reason. Because of its place as a root word and with such wide-reaching meaning, "logos" has a wide variety of connotations, all connected to thought, language and meaning.
Rhetorical Meaning
In terms of persuasive speech or writing (rhetoric), logos is the usage of statistics, facts and logical arguments to persuade an audience.
Spiritual Meaning
According to Merriam Webster's online dictionary, the initial meaning of logos is the second manifestation of the Holy Trinity, the expression of omniscient wisdom in creation.
Advertising Meaning
Logos provides the root word for an important word in advertising, "logo." The Online Etymology Dictionary claims that the word "logo"--meaning a word or phrase used for advertising--is a shortened version of the word, "logogram," which literally means a sign, symbol or character that represents a word.
Ancient Philosophical Meaning
"Logos" had wide reaching significance throughout Greek intellectual life, but according to Merriam Webster's online dictionary, "logos" also stood for the idea that reason and logic were the controlling forces throughout the universe.
Word Formations
Because of its wide range of meanings, writers and speakers throughout history have combined the root word of "logos" to form other words such as "logophobia" (fear of words), "logolatry" (worship or words) and "logomachy" (a battle or war about words).
