来自拉丁语 rebus,事物，实物，来自 res 的离格形式，来自 res,事情，事物，词源同 real.后用 于指一种图形字谜游戏。比较 omnibus,来自拉丁语 omnis 的与格形式。
英文词源
rebus (n.)
c. 1600, from Latin rebus "by means of objects," ablative plural of res "thing, object." According to French sources, principally from the phrase de rebus quæ geruntur "of things which are going on," in reference to the satirical pieces composed by Picardy clerks at carnivals, subtle satires of current events using pictures to suggest words, phrases or things. Or it may be from the representations being non verbis sed rebus "not by words, but by things." In either case from Latin res "thing."
实用例句
1. A picture of a cat on a log is a rebus for catalog.
谜画中有一只猫(cat) 站在一块木头(alog)上,谜底是catalog( 目录).
来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
2. Most people know a sort of puzzle called rebus.