'symbol-like' originates from English, specifically the compounding of the noun 'symbol' and the suffix '-like', where 'symbol' ultimately comes from Greek 'symbolon' meaning 'token' or 'sign' and the suffix '-like' meant 'having the form or quality of'.

'symbol' entered English via Latin and Old French from Greek 'symbolon'; the productive English suffix '-like' (Old English līc 'body, form') was combined with 'symbol' in modern English to form the compound adjective 'symbol-like'.

Initially, elements meant 'token' (from Greek) and 'having the form of' (from Old English suffix); over time the compound evolved to mean 'resembling a symbol' or 'having symbolic qualities' in current usage.