1. sign(n = noun.communication) mark - 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"
is a kind of clew, clue, cue
has particulars: token
Derived form verb signify2
2. sign(n = noun.communication) - a public display of a message; "he posted signs in all the shop windows"
is a kind of communication
has particulars: bill, card, notice, placard, poster, posting, street sign, guidepost, signpost
Derived form verb sign6
3. sign(n = noun.communication) signal, signaling - any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message; "signals from the boat suddenly stopped"
is a kind of communication
has particulars: recording, number, phone number, telephone number, start, starting signal, storm signal, beam, radio beam, ticktack, time signal, dog-ear, animal communication, alarm, alarum, alert, warning signal, distress call, distress signal, all clear, bugle call, curfew, retreat, drumbeat, radiotelegraphic signal, telegraphic signal, whistle, whistling, high sign, symbol, visual signal, indicator, electronic signal, radio beacon, input, input signal, output, output signal
Derived forms verb sign8, verb sign5, verb signify2
4. sign(n = noun.artifact) signboard - structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted; "the highway was lined with signboards"
is a kind of construction, structure
has particulars: billboard, hoarding, sandwich board, scoreboard, shingle
Derived form verb sign6
5. sign(n = noun.location) house, mansion, planetary house, sign of the zodiac, star sign - (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided;
is a kind of part, region
is a part of zodiac
has particulars: aries, aries the ram, ram, bull, taurus, taurus the bull, gemini, gemini the twins, twins, cancer, cancer the crab, crab, leo, leo the lion, lion, virgin, virgo, virgo the virgin, balance, libra, libra the balance, libra the scales, scorpio, scorpio the scorpion, scorpion, archer, sagittarius, sagittarius the archer, capricorn, capricorn the goat, goat, aquarius, aquarius the water bearer, water bearer, fish, pisces, pisces the fishes
6. sign(n = noun.state) - (medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease; "there were no signs of asphyxiation"
is a kind of evidence, grounds
is a part of disease
has particulars: vital sign
7. sign(n = noun.linkdef) polarity - 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"
is a kind of oppositeness, opposition
has particulars: positiveness, positivity, negativeness, negativity
8. sign(n = noun.event) augury, foretoken, preindication - an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come; "he hoped it was an augury"; "it was a sign from God"
is a kind of experience
has particulars: war cloud, omen, portent, presage, prodigy, prognostic, prognostication
9. sign(n = noun.communication) - a gesture that is part of a sign language;
is a kind of gesture, motion
is a part of sign language, signing
Derived forms verb sign7, verb sign5, verb signify2
10. sign(n = noun.communication) - a fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified; "The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary"
is a kind of language unit, linguistic unit
11. sign(n = noun.communication) - a character indicating a relation between quantities; "don't forget the minus sign"
is a kind of mathematical notation
has particulars: equal sign, plus sign, minus sign, radical sign
Derived forms verb signify1, verb signify2
1. sign(v = verb.communication) subscribe - mark with one's signature; write one's name (on); "She signed the letter and sent it off"; "Please sign here"
is one way to write
Derived forms noun signature1, noun signer2
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s; Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s PP
2. sign(v = verb.social) ratify - approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation; "All parties ratified the peace treaty"; "Have you signed your contract yet?"
is one way to formalise, formalize, validate
Derived form noun signer2
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
3. sign(v = verb.communication) - be engaged by a written agreement; "He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18"; "The soprano signed to sing the new opera"
is one way to contract, undertake
Derived form noun signer2
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE
4. sign(v = verb.social) contract, sign on, sign up - engage by written agreement; "They signed two new pitchers for the next season"
is one way to employ, engage, hire
Derived form noun signer2
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s; Somebody ----s somebody
5. sign(v = verb.communication) signal, signalise, signalize - 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"
is one way to communicate, intercommunicate
Derived forms noun sign3, noun sign9, noun signer1, noun signing1
Sample sentences:
They sign them the information; They sign the information to them
6. sign(v = verb.contact) - place signs, as along a road; "sign an intersection"; "This road has been signed"
is one way to lay, place, pose, position, put, set
Derived forms noun sign4, noun sign2
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
7. sign(v = verb.communication) - communicate in sign language; "I don't know how to sign, so I could not communicate with my deaf cousin"
is one way to communicate, intercommunicate
Derived forms noun sign9, noun signer1
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE
8. sign(v = verb.communication) bless - make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate;
is one way to gesticulate, gesture, motion
Derived form noun sign3
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s somebody
sign(s = adj.all) gestural, sign-language, signed - used of the language of the deaf;
That by which anything is made known or represented; that which furnishes evidence; a mark; a token; an indication; a proof. [1913 Webster]
" 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]
" The signs are reckoned from the point of intersection of the ecliptic and equator at the vernal equinox, and are named, respectively,
" 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]
" See the Table of
"Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God." [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." [1913 Webster]
"What time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men, and they became a sign." [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." [1913 Webster]
"Saint George of Merry England, the sign of victory." [1913 Webster]
"They made signs to his father, how he would have him called." [1913 Webster]
"The shops were, therefore, distinguished by painted signs, which gave a gay and grotesque aspect to the streets." [1913 Webster]
"An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace." [1913 Webster]
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." [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." [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." [1913 Webster]
4. To assign or convey formally; -- used with away. [1913 Webster]
5. To mark; to make distinguishable. Shak. [1913 Webster]
1. To be a sign or omen. Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. To make a sign or signal; to communicate directions or intelligence by signs. [1913 Webster]
3. To write one's name, esp. as a token of assent, responsibility, or obligation. [1913 Webster]
sign, n. & v.
--n.
1 a a thing indicating or suggesting a quality or state etc.; a thing perceived as indicating a future state or occurrence (violence is a sign of weakness; shows all the signs of decay). b a miracle evidencing supernatural power; a portent (did signs and wonders).
2 a a mark, symbol, or device used to represent something or to distinguish the thing on which it is put (marked the jar with a sign). b a technical symbol used in algebra, music, etc. (a minus sign; a repeat sign).
3 a gesture or action used to convey information, an order, request, etc. (gave him a sign to leave; conversed by signs).
4 a publicly displayed board etc. giving information; a signboard or signpost.
5 any objective evidence of a disease, usu. specified (Babinski's sign).
6 a password (advanced and gave the sign).
7 any of the twelve divisions of the zodiac, named from the constellations formerly situated in them (the sign of Cancer).
8 US the trail of a wild animal.
9 Math. etc. the positiveness or negativeness of a quantity.
--v.
1 tr. a (also absol.) write (one's name, initials, etc.) on a document etc. indicating that one has authorized it. b write one's name etc. on (a document) as authorization.
2 intr. & tr. communicate by gesture (signed to me to come; signed their assent).
3 tr. & intr. engage or be engaged by signing a contract etc. (see also sign on, sign up).
4 tr. mark with a sign (esp. with the sign of the cross in baptism).
Idiom:
make no sign seem unconscious; not protest. sign and countersign secret words etc. used as passwords. sign away convey (one's right, property, etc.) by signing a deed etc. sign for acknowledge receipt of by signing. sign language a system of communication by visual gestures, used esp. by the deaf. sign of the cross a Christian sign made in blessing or prayer, by tracing a cross from the forehead to the chest and to each shoulder, or in the air. sign off
1 end work, broadcasting, a letter, etc., esp. by writing or speaking one's name.
2 a end a period of employment, contract, etc. b end the period of employment or contract of (a person).
3 Brit. stop receiving unemployment benefit after finding work.
4 Bridge indicate by a conventional bid that one is seeking to end the bidding. sign-off n. Bridge such a bid. sign of the times a portent etc. showing a likely trend.
sign on
1 agree to a contract, employment, etc.
2 begin work, broadcasting, etc., esp. by writing or announcing one's name.
3 employ (a person).
4 Brit. register as unemployed. sign-painter (or -writer) a person who paints signboards etc.
sign up
1 engage or employ (a person).
2 enlist in the armed forces.
3 a commit (another person or oneself) by signing etc. (signed you up for dinner). b enrol (signed up for evening classes).
Derivative:
signable adj. signer n.
Etymology:
ME f. OF signe, signer f. L signum, signare
VB write, pen, copy, engross, write out, write out fair, transcribe, scribble, scrawl, scrabble, scratch, interline, stain paper, write down, sign, enface, compose, indite, draw up, draft, formulate, dictate, inscribe, throw on paper, dash off, manifold, take up the pen, take pen in hand, shed ink, spill ink, dip one's pen in ink.
VB contract, covenant, agree for, engage, treat, negotiate, stipulate, make terms, bargain, make a bargain, strike a bargain, come to terms, come to an understanding, compromise, set at rest, close, close with, conclude, complete, settle, confirm, ratify, clench, subscribe, underwrite, endorse, indorse, put the seal to, sign, seal, indent, take one at one's word, bargain by inch of candle.
VB give security, give bail, give substantial bail, go bail, pawn, impawn, spout, mortgage, hypothecate, impignorate, guarantee, warrant, warrantee, assure, accept, indorse, underwrite, insure, cosign, countersign, sponsor, cosponsor, execute, stamp, sign, seal, let, sett, grant a lease, take a lease, hold a lease, hold in pledge, lend on security.
N prodigy, phenomenon, wonder, wonderment, marvel, miracle, monster, curiosity, lion, sight, spectacle, jeu de theatre, coup de theatre, gazingstock, sign, St. Elmo's fire, St. Elmo's light, portent, bursting of a shell, bursting of a bomb, volcanic eruption, peal of thunder, thunder-clap, thunder-bolt, what no words can paint, wonders of the world, annus mirabilis, dignus vindice nodus, natura il fece e poi roppe la stampa.
VB be evidence, evince, show, betoken, tell of, indicate, imply, involve, argue, bespeak, breathe, have weight, carry weight, tell, speak volumes, speak for itself, rest upon, depend upon, repose on, bear witness, give evidence, testify, depose, witness, vouch for, sign, seal, undersign, set one's hand and seal, sign and seal, deliver as one's act and deed, certify, attest, acknowledge, make absolute, confirm, prove (demonstrate), indorse, countersign, corroborate, support, ratify, bear out, uphold, warrant, adduce, attest, cite, quote, refer to, appeal to, call, call to witness, bring forward, bring into court, allege, plead, produce witnesses, confront witnesses, place into evidence, mark into evidence, collect evidence, bring together evidence, rake up evidence, experiment, have a case, make out a case, establish, authenticate, substantiate, verify, make good, quote chapter and verse, bring home to, bring to book.
N omen, portent, presage, prognostic, augury, auspice, sign, harbinger, yule candle, bird of ill omen, signs of the times, gathering clouds, warning, prefigurement, ill-boding, auspicium melioris aevi.
N indication, symbolism, symbolization, semiology, semiotics, semeiology, semeiotics, Zeitgeist, characteristic, diagnostic, lineament, feature, trait, fingerprint, voiceprint, footprint, noseprint, cloven hoof, footfall, recognition (memory), diagnostic, divining rod, detector, sign, symbol, index, indice, indicator, point, pointer, exponent, note, token, symptom, dollar sign, dollar mark, type, figure, emblem, cipher, device, representation, epigraph, motto, posy, gesture, gesticulation, pantomime, wink, glance, leer, nod, shrug, beck, touch, nudge, dactylology, dactylonomy, freemasonry, telegraphy, chirology, byplay, dumb show, cue, hint, clue, clew, key, scent, signal, signal post, rocket, blue light, watch fire, watch tower, telegraph, semaphore, flagstaff, cresset, fiery cross, calumet, heliograph, guidon, headlight, mark, scratch, line, stroke, dash, score, stripe, streak, tick, dot, point, notch, nick, print, imprint, impress, impression, keyboard symbols, printing symbols, red letter, italics, sublineation, underlining, bold font, jotting, note, annotation, reference, blaze, cedilla, guillemets, hachure, quotation marks, ", double quotes, " ", parentheses, "( )", brackets, "", braces, "", left arrow, "<", right arrow, ">", forward slash, "/", backward slash, "\", exclamation point, "!", commercial at, "@", pound sign, "#", percent sign, "%", carat, "", ampersand, "&", asterisk, "*", hyphen, "-", dash, "-", "_", em dash, "--", plus sign, "+", equals sign, "=", question mark, "?", period, ", ", semicolon, ", ", colon, ":", comma, ", ", apostrophe, "'", single quote, "'", tilde, "~", badge, criterion, countercheck, countermark, countersign, counterfoil, duplicate, tally, label, ticket, billet, letter, counter, check, chip, chop, dib, totem, tessera, card, bill, witness, voucher, stamp, cacher, trade mark, Hall mark, signature, mark, autograph, autography, attestation, hand, hand writing, sign manual, cipher, seal, sigil, signet, hand and seal, paraph, brand, superscription, indorsement, endorsement, password, watchword, catchword, security card, pass, passkey, credentials, open sesame, timbrology, mot de passe, mot du guet, pass-parole, shibboleth, title, heading, docket, address card, visiting card, carte de visite, insignia, banner, banneret, bannerol, bandrol, flag, colors, streamer, standard, eagle, labarum, oriflamb, oriflamme, figurehead, ensign, pennon, pennant, pendant, burgee, blue Peter, jack, ancient, gonfalon, union jack, banderole, old glory, quarantine flag, vexillum, yellow-flag, yellow jack, tricolor, stars and stripes, bunting, heraldry, crest, coat of arms, arms, armorial bearings, hatchment, escutcheon, scutcheon, shield, supporters, livery, uniform, cockade, epaulet, chevron, garland, love knot, favor, beacon, cairn, post, staff, flagstaff, hand, pointer, vane, cock, weathercock, guidepost, handpost, fingerpost, directing post, signpost, pillars of Hercules, pharos, bale-fire, beacon-fire, l'etoile du Nord, landmark, seamark, lighthouse, balize, polestar, loadstar, lodestar, cynosure, guide, address, direction, name, sign, signboard, warning, omen, prefigurement, trace, record, warning &c, alarm, scepter, trophy, gauge, milestone, milepost, brand, fool's cap, check, telltale, test, mileage ticket, milliary, notification, advertisement, word of command, call, bugle call, trumpet call, bell, alarum, cry, battle cry, rallying cry, angelus, reveille, sacring bell, sanctus bell, exposition &c (explanation), proof, pattern, indicating, indicative, indicatory, denotative, connotative, diacritical, representative, typical, symbolic, pantomimic, pathognomonic, symptomatic, characteristic, demonstrative, diagnostic, exponential, emblematic, armorial, individual, known by, recognizable by, indicated, pointed, marked, denotable, indelible, in token of, symbolically, in dumb show, ecce signum, ex ungue leonem, ex pede Herculem, vide ut supra, vultus ariete fortior, indication, symbolism, symbolization, semiology, semiotics, semeiology, semeiotics, Zeitgeist, characteristic, diagnostic, lineament, feature, trait, fingerprint, voiceprint, footprint, noseprint, cloven hoof, footfall, recognition (memory), diagnostic, divining rod, detector, sign, symbol, index, indice, indicator, point, pointer, exponent, note, token, symptom, dollar sign, dollar mark, type, figure, emblem, cipher, device, representation, epigraph, motto, posy, gesture, gesticulation, pantomime, wink, glance, leer, nod, shrug, beck, touch, nudge, dactylology, dactylonomy, freemasonry, telegraphy, chirology, byplay, dumb show, cue, hint, clue, clew, key, scent, signal, signal post, rocket, blue light, watch fire, watch tower, telegraph, semaphore, flagstaff, cresset, fiery cross, calumet, heliograph, guidon, headlight, mark, scratch, line, stroke, dash, score, stripe, streak, tick, dot, point, notch, nick, print, imprint, impress, impression, keyboard symbols, printing symbols, red letter, italics, sublineation, underlining, bold font, jotting, note, annotation, reference, blaze, cedilla, guillemets, hachure, quotation marks, ", double quotes, " ", parentheses, "( )", brackets, "", braces, "", left arrow, "<", right arrow, ">", forward slash, "/", backward slash, "\", exclamation point, "!", commercial at, "@", pound sign, "#", percent sign, "%", carat, "", ampersand, "&", asterisk, "*", hyphen, "-", dash, "-", "_", em dash, "--", plus sign, "+", equals sign, "=", question mark, "?", period, ", ", semicolon, ", ", colon, ":", comma, ", ", apostrophe, "'", single quote, "'", tilde, "~", badge, criterion, countercheck, countermark, countersign, counterfoil, duplicate, tally, label, ticket, billet, letter, counter, check, chip, chop, dib, totem, tessera, card, bill, witness, voucher, stamp, cacher, trade mark, Hall mark, signature, mark, autograph, autography, attestation, hand, hand writing, sign manual, cipher, seal, sigil, signet, hand and seal, paraph, brand, superscription, indorsement, endorsement, password, watchword, catchword, security card, pass, passkey, credentials, open sesame, timbrology, mot de passe, mot du guet, pass-parole, shibboleth, title, heading, docket, address card, visiting card, carte de visite, insignia, banner, banneret, bannerol, bandrol, flag, colors, streamer, standard, eagle, labarum, oriflamb, oriflamme, figurehead, ensign, pennon, pennant, pendant, burgee, blue Peter, jack, ancient, gonfalon, union jack, banderole, old glory, quarantine flag, vexillum, yellow-flag, yellow jack, tricolor, stars and stripes, bunting, heraldry, crest, coat of arms, arms, armorial bearings, hatchment, escutcheon, scutcheon, shield, supporters, livery, uniform, cockade, epaulet, chevron, garland, love knot, favor, beacon, cairn, post, staff, flagstaff, hand, pointer, vane, cock, weathercock, guidepost, handpost, fingerpost, directing post, signpost, pillars of Hercules, pharos, bale-fire, beacon-fire, l'etoile du Nord, landmark, seamark, lighthouse, balize, polestar, loadstar, lodestar, cynosure, guide, address, direction, name, sign, signboard, warning, omen, prefigurement, trace, record, warning &c, alarm, scepter, trophy, gauge, milestone, milepost, brand, fool's cap, check, telltale, test, mileage ticket, milliary, notification, advertisement, word of command, call, bugle call, trumpet call, bell, alarum, cry, battle cry, rallying cry, angelus, reveille, sacring bell, sanctus bell, exposition &c (explanation), proof, pattern, indicating, indicative, indicatory, denotative, connotative, diacritical, representative, typical, symbolic, pantomimic, pathognomonic, symptomatic, characteristic, demonstrative, diagnostic, exponential, emblematic, armorial, individual, known by, recognizable by, indicated, pointed, marked, denotable, indelible, in token of, symbolically, in dumb show, ecce signum, ex ungue leonem, ex pede Herculem, vide ut supra, vultus ariete fortior.
VB indicate, be the sign, of, denote, betoken, argue, testify, bear the impress, of, connote, connotate, represent, stand for, typify, symbolize, put an indication, put a mark, note, mark, stamp, earmark, blaze, label, ticket, docket, dot, spot, score, dash, trace, chalk, print, imprint, impress, engrave, stereotype, make a sign, signalize, underscore, give a signal, hang out a signal, beckon, nod, wink, glance, leer, nudge, shrug, tip the wink, gesticulate, raise the finger, hold up the finger, raise the hand, hold up the hand, saw the air, suit the action to the word, wave a banner, unfurl a banner, hoist a banner, hang out a banner, wave the hand, wave a kerchief, give the cue, show one's colors, give an alarm, sound an alarm, beat the drum, sound the trumpets, raise a cry, sign, seal, attest, underline, call attention to, give notice.
VB record, put on record, place on record, chronicle, calendar, hand down to posterity, keep up the memory, commemorate, report, write, commit to writing, reduce to writing, put in writing, set down in writing, writing in black and white, put down, jot down, take down, write down, note down, set down, note, minute, put on paper, take note, make a note, take minute, take memorandum, make a return, mark, sign, enter, book, post, post up, insert, make an entry of, mark off, tick off, register, enroll, inscroll, file, burn into memory, carve in stone.
american sign language, babinski sign, danger sign, dollar sign, equal sign, high sign, jacquemier's sign, kernig's sign, minus sign, percent sign, percentage sign, plus sign, radical sign, raynaud's sign, re sign, sign away, sign in, sign industry, sign language, sign manual, sign of the cross, sign of the zodiac, sign off, sign on, sign over, sign painter, sign up, star sign, street sign, sure sign, telltale sign, v sign, vital sign