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Dictionary Results For "sign" [?]/[OPML]
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Wiktionary Articles [RSS] - [GNU, www.Wiktionary.org]

English

Pronunciation


Homophones


Etymology 1

From signe, from signum, sign.

Noun

  1. (sometimes also used uncountably) A visible indication.
  2. : Their angry expressions were a clear sign they didn't want to talk.
  3. : Those clouds show signs of raining soon.
  4. : Those clouds show little sign of raining soon.
  5. A clearly visible object, generally flat, bearing a short message in words or pictures.
  6. : The sign in the window said "for rent".
  7. A traffic sign.
  8. : I missed the sign at the corner so I took the wrong turn.
  9. A meaningful gesture.
  10. : I gave them a thumbs-up sign.
  11. Any of several specialized non-alphabetic symbols.
  12. : The sharp sign indicates that the pitch of the note is raised a half step.
  13. An astrological sign.
  14. : Your sign is Taurus? That's no surprise.
  15. Positive or negative polarity.
  16. : I got the magnitude right, but the sign was wrong.
  17. A linguistic unit in sign language equivalent to word in spoken languages.
  18. : What's the sign for "computer"?
  19. sign language in general
  20. : Sorry, I don't know sign very well.
  21. An omen.
  22. : "It's a sign of the end of the world," the doom prophet said.


Related terms
Translations

Etymology 2

From signer, from signare.

Verb

  1. To write one's signature on (a document), thus showing authorship.
  2. : I forgot to sign that letter to my aunt.
  3. To give legal consent by writing one's signature.
  4. : I'm not signing anything without my lawyer present.
  5. To persuade to sign a contract.
  6. : It was a great month. I managed to sign three major players.
  7. To write one's signature somewhere.
  8. : Please sign on the dotted line.
  9. To give autographs.
  10. : I'm sorry, I don't sign.
  11. To communicate using sign language.
  12. : I'm learning to sign so I can talk to my new neighbor.


Derived terms


Related terms


Translations

Category:1000 English basic words Category:Semantics Category:Semiotics

ar:sign de:sign et:sign el:sign es:sign fa:sign fr:sign io:sign id:sign it:sign kk:sign ku:sign hu:sign ja:sign pl:sign ru:sign simple:sign fi:sign sv:sign ta:sign te:sign vi:sign tr:sign zh:sign

GNU Project's publication of CIDE, the Collaborative International Dictionary of English Sign \Sign\, n. [F. signe, L. signum; cf. AS. segen, segn, a
sign, standard, banner, also fr. L. signum. Cf. Ensign,
Resign, Seal a stamp, Signal, Signet.]
That by which anything is made known or represented; that
which furnishes evidence; a mark; a token; an indication; a
proof. Specifically:
(a) A remarkable event, considered by the ancients as
indicating the will of some deity; a prodigy; an omen.
(b) An event considered by the Jews as indicating the divine
will, or as manifesting an interposition of the divine
power for some special end; a miracle; a wonder.
[1913 Webster]

Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of
the Spirit of God. --Rom. xv. 19.
[1913 Webster]

It shall come to pass, if they will not believe
thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first
sign, that they will believe the voice of the
latter sign. --Ex. iv. 8.
[1913 Webster]
(c) Something serving to indicate the existence, or preserve
the memory, of a thing; a token; a memorial; a monument.
[1913 Webster]

What time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty
men, and they became a sign. --Num. xxvi.
10.
[1913 Webster]
(d) Any symbol or emblem which prefigures, typifles, or
represents, an idea; a type; hence, sometimes, a picture.
[1913 Webster]

The holy symbols, or signs, are not barely
significative; but what they represent is as
certainly delivered to us as the symbols
themselves. --Brerewood.
[1913 Webster]

Saint George of Merry England, the sign of victory.
--Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
(e) A word or a character regarded as the outward
manifestation of thought; as, words are the sign of
ideas.
(f) A motion, an action, or a gesture by which a thought is
expressed, or a command or a wish made known.
[1913 Webster]

They made signs to his father, how he would have
him called. --Luke i. 62.
[1913 Webster]
(g) Hence, one of the gestures of pantomime, or of a language
of a signs such as those used by the North American
Indians, or those used by the deaf and dumb.
[1913 Webster]

Note: Educaters of the deaf distinguish between natural
signs, which serve for communicating ideas, and
methodical, or systematic, signs, adapted for the
dictation, or the rendering, of written language, word
by word; and thus the signs are to be distinguished
from the manual alphabet, by which words are spelled on
the fingers.
[1913 Webster]
(h) A military emblem carried on a banner or a standard.
--Milton.
(i) A lettered board, or other conspicuous notice, placed
upon or before a building, room, shop, or office to
advertise the business there transacted, or the name of
the person or firm carrying it on; a publicly displayed
token or notice.
[1913 Webster]

The shops were, therefore, distinguished by painted
signs, which gave a gay and grotesque aspect to the
streets. --Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]
(j) (Astron.) The twelfth part of the ecliptic or zodiac.
[1913 Webster]

Note: The signs are reckoned from the point of intersection
of the ecliptic and equator at the vernal equinox, and
are named, respectively, Aries ([Aries]), Taurus
([Taurus]), Gemini (II), Cancer ([Cancer]), Leo
([Leo]), Virgo ([Virgo]), Libra ([Libra]),
Scorpio ([Scorpio]), Sagittarius ([Sagittarius]),
Capricornus ([Capricorn]), {Aquarius ([Aquarius]),
Pisces ([Pisces]). These names were originally the
names of the constellations occupying severally the
divisions of the zodiac, by which they are still
retained; but, in consequence of the procession of the
equinoxes, the signs have, in process of time, become
separated about 30 degrees from these constellations,
and each of the latter now lies in the sign next in
advance, or to the east of the one which bears its
name, as the constellation Aries in the sign Taurus,
etc.
[1913 Webster]
(k) (Alg.) A character indicating the relation of quantities,
or an operation performed upon them; as, the sign +
(plus); the sign -- (minus); the sign of division /, and
the like.
(l) (Med.) An objective evidence of disease; that is, one
appreciable by some one other than the patient.
[1913 Webster]

Note: The terms symptom and and sign are often used
synonymously; but they may be discriminated. A sign
differs from a symptom in that the latter is perceived
only by the patient himself. The term sign is often
further restricted to the purely local evidences of
disease afforded by direct examination of the organs
involved, as distinguished from those evidence of
general disturbance afforded by observation of the
temperature, pulse, etc. In this sense it is often
called physical sign.
[1913 Webster]
(m) (Mus.) Any character, as a flat, sharp, dot, etc.
(n) (Theol.) That which, being external, stands for, or
signifies, something internal or spiritual; -- a term
used in the Church of England in speaking of an ordinance
considered with reference to that which it represents.
[1913 Webster]

An outward and visible sign of an inward and
spiritual grace. --Bk. of
Common Prayer.
[1913 Webster]

Note: See the Table of Arbitrary Signs, p. 1924.
[1913 Webster]

Sign manual.
(a) (Eng. Law) The royal signature superscribed at the top of
bills of grants and letter patent, which are then sealed
with the privy signet or great seal, as the case may be,
to complete their validity.
(b) The signature of one's name in one's own handwriting.
--Craig. Tomlins. Wharton.
[1913 Webster]

Syn: Token; mark; note; symptom; indication; signal; symbol;
type; omen; prognostic; presage; manifestation. See
Emblem.
[1913 Webster]
GNU Project's publication of CIDE, the Collaborative International Dictionary of English Sign \Sign\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Signed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Signing.] [OE. seinen to bless, originally, to make the
sign of the cross over; in this sense fr. ASS. segnian (from
segn, n.), or OF. seignier, F. signer, to mark, to sign (in
sense 3), fr. L. signare to mark, set a mark upon, from
signum. See Sign, n.]
1. To represent by a sign; to make known in a typical or
emblematic manner, in distinction from speech; to signify.
[1913 Webster]

I signed to Browne to make his retreat. --Sir W.
Scott.
[1913 Webster]

2. To make a sign upon; to mark with a sign.
[1913 Webster]

We receive this child into the congregation of
Christ's flock, and do sign him with the sign of the
cross. --Bk. of Com
Prayer.
[1913 Webster]

3. To affix a signature to; to ratify by hand or seal; to
subscribe in one's own handwriting.
[1913 Webster]

Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed,
And let him sign it. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]

4. To assign or convey formally; -- used with away.
[1913 Webster]

5. To mark; to make distinguishable. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
GNU Project's publication of CIDE, the Collaborative International Dictionary of English Sign \Sign\, v. i.
1. To be a sign or omen. [Obs.] --Shak.
[1913 Webster]

2. To make a sign or signal; to communicate directions or
intelligence by signs.
[1913 Webster]

3. Especially: To communicate in sign language.
[PJC]

4. To write one's name, esp. as a token of assent,
responsibility, or obligation; as, he signed in red ink.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet sign
adj : used of the language of the deaf [syn: gestural, sign(a),
signed, sign-language(a)]
n 1: a perceptible indication of something not immediately
apparent (as a visible clue that something has
happened); "he showed signs of strain"; "they welcomed
the signs of spring" [syn: mark]
2: a public display of a (usually written) message; "he posted
signs in all the shop windows"
3: any communication that encodes a message; "signals from the
boat suddenly stopped" [syn: signal, signaling]
4: structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be
posted; "the highway was lined with signboards" [syn: signboard]
5: (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is
divided [syn: sign of the zodiac, star sign, mansion,
house, planetary house]
6: (medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a
disorder or disease; "there were no signs of asphixiation"
7: having an indicated pole (as the distinction between
positive and negative electric charges); "he got the
polarity of the battery reversed"; "charges of opposite
sign" [syn: polarity]
8: an event that is experienced as indicating important things
to come; "he hoped it was an augury"; "it was a sign from
God" [syn: augury, foretoken, preindication]
9: a gesture that is part of a sign language
10: a fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that
which is signified; "The bond between the signifier and
the signified is arbitrary"--de Saussure
11: a character indicating a relation between quantities; "don't
forget the minus sign"
v 1: mark with one's signature; write one's name (on); "She
signed the letter and sent it off"; "Please sign here"
[syn: subscribe]
2: approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation;
"All parties ratified the peace treaty"; "Have you signed
your contract yet?" [syn: ratify]
3: be engaged by a written agreement; "He signed to play the
casino on Dec. 18"; "The soprano signed to sing the new
opera"
4: engage by written agreement; "They signed two new pitchers
for the next season" [syn: contract, sign on, sign up]
5: communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs;
"He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand
gesture"; "The diner signaled the waiters to bring the
menu" [syn: signal, signalize, signalise]
6: place signs, as along a road; "sign an intersection"; "This
road has been signed"
7: communicate in sign language; "I don't know how to sign, so
I could not communicate with my deaf cousin"
8: make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on
God for protection; consecrate [syn: bless]
Moby Dictionary
OK
, Roman candle , abandon , abnormality , accent , accent mark ,
accept
, accredit , acute disease , adumbration , advertisement ,
affection
, affirm , affliction , agent , agree on terms ,
aid to navigation
, ailment , alarm , allergic disease , allergy ,
alphabet
, alphabetic character , alphabetize , alternate ,
alternative
, amber light , amen , analogy , announcement , approve ,
assign
, assure , atrophy , attest , attestation , augury , auspice ,
authenticate
, authorize , autograph , back , backup ,
bacterial disease
, badge , balefire , banner , bar , basis for belief ,
be sponsor for
, beacon , beacon fire , beat the drum , bell ,
bell buoy
, betokening , betokenment , binary digit , birth defect ,
bit
, blight , blinker , blue peter , body of evidence , bond , brand ,
broad hint
, broadside , buoy , cancel , capitalize ,
cardiovascular disease
, cartouche , caution light , certify ,
chain of evidence
, change , changeling , character , characteristic ,
chronic disease
, cipher , circulatory disease , close down , clue ,
colophon
, comparison , complaint , complication , condensation trail ,
condition
, confirm , congenital defect , consign , contract , contrail ,
copy
, cosign , counterfeit , countersecure , countersign , course , cue ,
custos
, cypher , data , datum , defect , deficiency disease , deformity ,
degenerative disease
, deliver , deputy , device , differentia , digit ,
dip
, direct , disability , disease , disorder , dispose of , distemper ,
documentation
, donate , dot , double , dummy , earmark , emblem , employ ,
enchantment
, endemic , endemic disease , endocrine disease , endorse ,
engage
, enlist , ensign , ensure , epidemic disease , equal ,
equivalent
, ersatz , evidence , exchange , exchange colors , exhibit ,
exponent
, expression mark , fact , facts , fake , fantasy , fermata ,
figure
, fill-in , flag , flag down , flare , flash , fog bell ,
fog signal
, fog whistle , foghorn , foreboding , foreshadow ,
foreshadowing
, foreshowing , foretoken , foretokening , forewarning ,
forgo
, formalize , functional disease , fungus disease ,
gastrointestinal disease
, genetic disease , gentle hint ,
gesticulation
, gesture , get rid of , ghost , ghostwriter , give ,
give a signal
, give permission , give the go-ahead ,
give the imprimatur
, give the nod , give thumbs up , give up , glance ,
glimmer
, glimmering , glosseme , go light , gong buoy , graph ,
grapheme
, green light , grounds , grounds for belief , guarantee ,
guaranty
, hail , hail and speak , half-mast , hallmark , handicap ,
heliograph
, hereditary disease , hieroglyph , high sign , hint , hire ,
hoist a banner
, hold , iatrogenic disease , icon , ideogram ,
ideograph
, idiosyncrasy , illness , image , imitation , implication ,
index
, indicant , indication , indicator , indisposition ,
infectious disease
, infirmity , initial , initials , ink , inkling ,
innuendo
, inscribe , insignia , insinuation , insure ,
international alphabet flag
, international numeral pennant ,
intimation
, item of evidence , join up , key signature , keynote ,
kick
, lead , leer , letter , lexeme , lexical form ,
lexigraphic character
, ligature , line , locum tenens , logotype ,
look
, make a sign , make over , makeshift , malady , malaise ,
manifestation
, mark , marker beacon , material grounds , measure ,
metaphor
, metonymy , metronomic mark , miracle , monogram , morbidity ,
morbus
, morpheme , motion , movement , muniments , muscular disease ,
mute witness
, neurological disease , next best thing , nod , notarize ,
notation
, note , notice , nudge , number , numeral , numero ,
nutritional disease
, occupational disease , omen , organic disease ,
pandemic disease
, parachute flare , pass , pass on , pass upon , path ,
pathological condition
, pathology , pause , peculiarity , permit ,
personnel
, phonetic character , phonetic symbol , phony , phrase ,
pictographic character
, picture , piece of evidence , pilot flag ,
pinch hitter
, piste , placard , plant disease , poke , police whistle ,
portent
, poster , prefiguration , preindication , premises ,
premonitory shiver
, premonitory sign , premonitory symptom , presa ,
present
, presignifying , prodigy , prognosis , prognostic ,
prognostication
, promise , prompt , proof , property , prophecy ,
protozoan disease
, proxy , psychosomatic disease , quarantine flag ,
radio beacon
, raise a cry , ratify , reason to believe , rebus ,
red flag
, red light , register , release , relevant fact , relief ,
relinquish
, reminder , replacement , representation , representative ,
reserves
, respiratory disease , retain , ringer , rocket , rockiness ,
rubber stamp
, sacrifice , sailing aid , salute , sanction ,
say amen to
, scent , seal , second , second string , secondary ,
secondary disease
, secure , seediness , segno , semaphore ,
semaphore flag
, semaphore telegraph , semasiological unit , sememe ,
shadow
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