Years afterward, the French government ceremoniously presented a shovelful of soil from the grounds of Fort-de-Joux to the Haitian government as a symbolic transfer of Toussaint Louverture's remains.

Nexum was a form of mancipatio, a symbolic transfer of rights that involved a set of scales, copper weights, and a formulaic oath.

The British military handed over this major Iraqi port to local administrators today in a symbolic transfer of power intended to show that Iraqis are beginning to take control of major elements of their country.

During Ring Ceremony, the senior class bestows class rings upon the juniors as a symbolic transfer of school leadership.

Other than small, symbolic transfers, supporters of the former president and the rebels have both clung steadfastly to their weapons.

Ms. Shapiro laid a prayer shawl over Cece's shoulders, a symbolic transfer of power.

But other, less symbolic transfers - often involving more advanced technology but less notice - take place weekly.

From there, we shall discuss a transfer of responsibilities. . . . Q. But there is no reason to wait for the immediate symbolic transfer?

The symbolic transfer of political power was far smoother in 1988 when Mr. Reagan put forth a dignified and full-throated pitch for his No. 2.

He wanted to be respectful, he says, but also "not to seem overly eager to just grab hold of this symbolic transfer if only to underscore the fact that it was in fact only one."