sign-offn.
/ˈsʌɪnɒf/, U.S. /ˈsaɪnˌɔf/, /ˈsaɪnˌɑf/ 1. U.S. At Harvard University: a student who has notified the university of a period of absence due to illness. Cf. to sign off 4a at sign v.1 Phrasal verbs 2. Now rare.
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society > education > learning > learner > college or university student > [noun] > types at specific universities
son?c1550
Bibler1569
round cap1572
batteler1604
fellow commoner1614
gentleman-commoner1614
primar1642
Bible-clerk1650
Harry-Sopha1661
hodman1677
nobleman1682
seconder1684
grueller1691
ternar1698
tuft1755
red gowna1774
ten-year-man1816
prick-bill1818
bear1828
martinet1831
sheep1865
trotter1883
skiver1884
hall-reader1886
sign-off1902
night climber1937
techie1969
1902 Ann. Rep. President & Treasurer of Harvard College 1900–01 App. 335 (table) No. of Students..% of ‘Sign-offs’.
1904 Ann. Rep. Harvard Coll. 1902–3 42 It is the opinion of the Medical Visitor that a large proportion of the ‘sign-offs’ of undergraduates are uncalled for.
2. Originally: a word, phrase, or announcement of any type, delivered to mark the end of a broadcast; the point at which a broadcast ends. Later: any concluding word, phrase, etc. Cf. to sign off 5a at sign v.1 Phrasal verbs 2.
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the world > action or operation > ceasing > [noun]
lissc1000
ceasec1330
stintc1330
stinting1338
ceasinga1340
discontinuancea1398
cessationa1400
leaving-off?a1425
surceasingc1435
disusage1475
stop1483
staying1546
discontinuation1572
discontinuing1582
surcease1590
stintance1605
cessure1607
desisting1607
avocationa1617
desistance1632
sistencea1639
surceasementa1641
supersession1648
dispractice1673
breaking-off1683
estoppage1701
cess1703
cesser1809
shutdown1857
stoppage1865
shut-off1889
sign-off1919
society > communication > broadcasting > [noun] > cessation of broadcasting
sign-off1919
close-down1939
shutdown1959
1919 Literary Digest 19 Apr. 119/1 Noting the exact time at which the message is received,..the message itself, and the sign-off.
1946 Life 14 Oct. 131/2 On each slip is typed a carefully checked list of facts, from his opening speech to the sign-off.
1961 Time 19 May 53/1 The toughest TV critic..dared the station and network operators and owners to sit down in front of their sets from sign-on to sign-off.
1976 Time 20 Dec. 47/2 Remember his sign-off as he was being expelled from a Democratic Convention: ‘This is John Chancellor, somewhere in custody.’
1982 Washington Post (Nexis) 29 Aug. g1 On the telephone, a sign-off is often needed.
2007 Hello! 17 July 11 Nick..said farewell last Monday with his familiar sign-off to viewers.
3. Bridge. A bid made by one partner as a signal for the other to pass in the bidding.
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society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > bridge > [noun] > actions or tactics > call > bidding
flag-flying1889
redoubling1899
auction1908
overbidding1912
pre-emption1924
save1927
raising1929
cue-bidding1932
sacrifice bid1932
sign-off1932
sign-off bid1932
protection1952
sacrifice1952
sacrifice bidding1959
1932 News (Frederick, Maryland) 4 Oct. 6/8 In view of his six hearts he believed the hand would play better at that suit and bid two hearts which North properly interpreted as another sign-off.
1942 E. Culbertson et al. Official Bk. Contract Bridge xv. 187 The sign-off may be made even if the responder hold one Ace.
1977 Bridge Mag. Sept. 150/2 When all Reardon could do was show his useless diamond control, the five spades sign-off was obvious.
1993 Bridge Nov. 17/1 Larry's protective one-heart bid was enough to tempt David into two tries for game—but he respected the second sign-off.
4. An instance of giving approval or assent by or as if by signing an agreement; the fact of giving such approval. Cf. to sign off on at sign v.1 Phrasal verbs 2.
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the mind > language > statement > assent > [noun] > instance of
subscription1580
sign-off1942
1942 J. P. Comer N.Y. City Building Control 1800–1941 iv. 142 The plan examiners had rewritten the specifications for the applicants in large part, thereby saving the application from legal expiry; still others showed sign offs for which no reasons were given.
1974 F. M. Wirt Power in City v. x. 268 The options still lodged with Alioto over contract sign-offs.
1983 P. O. Marsh Messages that Work App. C. 443 Any modification required by E-Z Learning Institute after sign-off will be paid for by that party.
2004 Marketing 12 Feb. 41/1 (advt.) The process that will allow briefing and sign-off to happen in a timely fashion.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
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1907 Harvard Advocate 21 June 134/1 The only thing to do was to give each Senior a sign off slip made out for life.
1949 Cavalier Daily (Univ. Virginia) 23 Sept. 1/3 A non-affiliated station..will be on the air only during the daylight hours. Sign-on and sign-off times will vary from month to month.
1962 H. T. Moore Coll. Lett. D. H. Lawrence I. p. xxi Lawrence's sign-off line was often a foreign phrase.
2009 E. M. Rojas Constr. Project Managem. i. 48 A sign-off sheet that documents the customer's..approval of your schedule is recommended.
C2.
sign-off bid n. Bridge = sense 3.
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society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > bridge > [noun] > actions or tactics > call > bidding
flag-flying1889
redoubling1899
auction1908
overbidding1912
pre-emption1924
save1927
raising1929
cue-bidding1932
sacrifice bid1932
sign-off1932
sign-off bid1932
protection1952
sacrifice1952
sacrifice bidding1959
1932 News (Frederick, Maryland) 4 Oct. 6/8 He waves a danger signal by making a sign-off bid and his partner continues bidding from that paint only at his own peril.
1942 E. Culbertson et al. Official Bk. Contract Bridge xv. 187 Finally, there is the sign-off bid.
2002 Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 29 Jan. 31 Responder's 2NT rebid asks opener to bid 3C. This is usually followed by a sign-off bid.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2011; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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