iconic Hoover Dam

[angliholic]

When compled, the Hoover Dam Bridge will be the largest aarch bridge in the world, complementing the iconic Hoover Dam.


Is the iconic Hoover Dam equal to the vivid or picturesque Hoover Dam? Thanks.

[Tdol]

If something is iconic it is distinctive and well-known- there could be no confusion over which dam it is.

[angliholic]

Thanks, Tdol.
What about signature Hoover Dam? Is it the same as iconic Hoover Dam?

[BobK]

Originally Posted by angliholic

Thanks, Tdol.
What about signature Hoover Dam? Is it the same as iconic Hoover Dam?

'Signature' refers to something typical of one person; many TV presenters have a 'signature tune'; when you hear it, you think of them. There is something visual about something that's iconic - think of the derivation from church images - Gk eikon. Online Etymology Dictionary

(Of course, 'iconic' has moved on from its Greek Orthodox church origins, and some people - especially in advertisements - use it to mean something vaguely like 'jolly important [buy this]'!)

b