sign
/sʌɪn
/noun
1An object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else: flowers are often given as a sign of affection [with clause]: the shops are full, which is a sign that the recession is past its worst...
- Scottish rugby may still be a long way from this lamentable state of affairs but it could be argued that the warning signs are present.
- The warning signs were present; I just didn't recognize or act on them.
- He had visited Clements at her home to assess the dogs and said neither of them presented any signs of aggressive behaviour, even when he deliberately goaded them.
Synonyms
indication, signal, symptom, hint, pointer, suggestion, intimation, mark, manifestation, demonstration;
token, testimony, evidence, attestation, proof
rare sigil
1.1Something regarded as an indication of what is happening or going to happen: the signs are that counterfeiting is growing at an alarming rate...
- If that happens, and the signs are increasingly that it will, a historic turning point will have been reached.
- But this time, the signs are very promising that change is on the way.
- Like future terrorist acts, we can't be absolutely certain what will happen, but all the signs are there.
Synonyms
portent, omen, warning, forewarning, augury, presage;
promise, threat, hint
1.2 [with negative] Used to indicate that someone or something is not where they should be or are expected to be: there was still no sign of her...
- A few minutes later they found her bicycle and newspapers in the road but there was no sign of Genette.
- They may be on the verge of an appointment but there's no sign of an announcement as yet.
- Another week had passed, after all, and still there was no sign of new arrivals.
1.3 Medicine An indication of a disease detectable by a medical practitioner even if not apparent to the patient: clinical signs of liver disease...Compare with symptom.
- None of the patients had clinical signs of ulcerogenic disease.
- Finally, a subject who is asymptomatic, with no signs of liver disease should be labelled as a healthy carrier.
- Patients who demonstrated signs of angina pectoris or severe arrhythmia or had diabetes mellitus were excluded from our study.
1.4A miracle regarded as evidence of supernatural power (chiefly in biblical and literary use): he observed signs and miracles taking place...
- Whilst some say cases such as these are mere coincidence others believe they are miracles and signs from God.
- For the church after Acts did not have the miracles and signs of the kingdom, but the truth concerning the church which is the body of Christ.
- In that era, the French and the Germans, like the British, believed their wealth and power were divine signs of their virtue.
1.5 [mass noun] North American The trail of a wild animal: wolverine sign...
- But the signs were puzzling as they led us to every type of animal, from penguins to lions, EXCEPT the giant panda.
- However, the interpretation of sign at nests to classify nest predators was almost wholly ineffective.
2A gesture or action used to convey information or an instruction: she gave him the thumbs-up sign...
- Some adults gave thumbs-up signs, others watched sullenly as the 60 vehicles, bristling with weapons, crawled past.
- At best, they receive a few quizzical stares, a couple of thumbs-up signs and a desperate waving of white flags.
- When he passed two of the men sitting mid-cabin, he gave a thumbs-up sign.
Synonyms
gesture, signal, wave, gesticulation, cue, nod;
action, movement, motion;
body language, kinesics
2.1An action or reaction that conveys something about someone: she gave no sign of having seen him...
- I might even say that such a reaction is a sign of profound ingratitude.
- Zelda's eyes widened at this unexpected reaction, but other than that she showed no signs of fear.
- He always accepted the smallest invitation or the most insignificant present with outward signs of pleasure.
2.2A gesture used in a system of sign language.The system is based on simple signs and gestures derived from British Sign Language for the deaf taught through song....
- Because ASL is based on natural gestures, most signs are incredibly easy to learn.
- Use is made of repeated signs to convey such notions as plurality, degree, or emphasis.
2.3 [mass noun] short for sign language.Every classroom should have a deaf teacher as well as one who can hear so that children are exposed to both sign and spoken language simultaneously.
2.4A symbol or word used to represent an operation, instruction, concept, or object in algebra, music, or other subjects: the integral sign ∫...
- In claiming, in this book, that language is essentially symbolic, I am alluding to the status of linguistic signs as symbols, rather than as icons or indexes.
- A symbol is a sign used to represent something other than itself.
- The short appoggiatura was then notated by the new sign.
Synonyms
symbol, mark, cipher, letter, character, numeral, figure, type, code, hieroglyph;
signifier, ideogram, logogram, graph;
rune, diacritic, representation, emblem, device, badge, insignia, arms, coat of arms, crest, logo;
(signs) writing, hieroglyphics
3A notice on public display that gives information or instructions in a written or symbolic form: I didn’t see the ‘Stop’ sign...
- Just about every pub displays a sign or notice advising women to keep an eye on their drinks.
- A teenaged driver who has been drinking beer does not notice the stop sign and hits the passenger side of the woman's car.
- Government, in the form of traffic lights and stop signs and rules and regulations for driving, is absolutely required.
Synonyms
notice, signpost, signboard, warning sign, road sign, traffic sign;
placard, board, plate, pointer, arrow, marker, waymark, indicator;
poster, bill, sticker, advertisement
informal ad
British informal advert
4 (also zodiacal sign) Astrology Each of the twelve equal sections into which the zodiac is divided, named from the constellations formerly situated in each, and associated with successive periods of the year according to the position of the sun on the ecliptic: a sign of the Zodiac a person born under the sign of Virgo...
- If a planet is situated in a sign which opposes its own it is said to be in detriment, a word which literally means to be harmed or damaged.
- It is the sign associated with intemperance and a craving for emotional excitement and sensuality.
- In the water signs of Scorpio and Pisces we see a different expression of this energy.
5 Mathematics The positiveness or negativeness of a quantity: the last four bits hold a pattern to represent the sign of the number...
- The sign of the constant of proportion, c, in the equation above, will determine whether the process is one of growth or of decay.
- Moreover, as just mentioned, the rate of adaptation negatively correlates with the sign of epistasis.
- The sign of the coefficient on this variable is the opposite of that for the Gini coefficient.
verb
1 [with object] Write one’s name on (a letter, card, document, etc.) to identify oneself as the writer or sender: the card was signed by the whole class...
- Outraged by the Government's threat to their sub post offices, people have signed petitions and written letters urging ministers to think again.
- They don't hesitate to sign petitions, write letters or otherwise share their opinions.
- The rest of the detainees wrote and signed a letter that they had witnessed the abuse, and went on a hunger strike.
Synonyms
write, inscribe, pen, pencil, scribble, scrawl, dash off, put, add
archaic underwrite
1.1Authorize (a document or other written or printed material) by attaching a signature: the two countries signed a non-aggression treaty...
- When the Soviet Union signed the SALT I Treaty, it chose to build its ABM sites around Moscow and Leningrad.
- Unsurprisingly, we are also selling to the Gaddafi government in Libya, another nation which has not signed the Chemical Weapons Convention.
- In 1997, the U.S. and 65 other countries signed the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Synonyms
endorse, validate, certify, authenticate, authorize, sanction, legalize, put into effect, enact;
agree to, approve, ratify, adopt, say yes to, give one's approval to, rubber-stamp
informal give something the go-ahead, give something the green light, OK, give something the OK, give something the thumbs up
1.2Write (one’s name) for purposes of identification or authorization: she signed her name in the book [with object and complement]: she signed herself Imogen [no object]: he signed on the dotted line...
- More than 200 people have already signed their names and written messages of support since the book opened.
- ‘These homeless are bums, nothing but leeches on society,’ wrote a guy who signed himself Trav.
- She never learned to write and could only sign her name with a cross.
Synonyms
autograph, endorse, witness, initial, put one's mark on, countersign, re-sign;
Law set one's hand to, subscribe
archaic underwrite, style
rare chirographate
1.3Engage (someone, typically a sports player or a musician) to work for one by signing a contract with them: the manager plans to sign a new goalkeeper...
- He will need to find cover for the start of next season, be it in renewing a contract or signing a new player.
- These clubs often wait for a contract to expire before signing a player, in order to eliminate any transfer fee involved.
- Two years ago, 860 foreign-born players were signed to professional contracts by major league clubs.
Synonyms
recruit, hire, engage, employ, take on, appoint, take into one's employ, take into employment, contract, put on the payroll, sign on/up, enrol, enlist
dated take into service
1.4 [no object] Commit oneself to work by signing a contract: a new striker has signed for Blackburn...
- "We just signed to a new label called Anubis, " explains DJ / producer Nabi.
- Perhaps the biggest key to his success is not signing to a major label.
- The band has signed to Primary Voltage Records, who will put out their LP later this year.
2 [no object] Use gestures to convey information or instructions: [with infinitive]: she signed to her husband to leave the room...
- Jess shook her head and signed to Dani, gesturing to Courtney and back to Bran.
- He signed at her, indicating the direction they were walking in with a vague point of his index finger.
Synonyms
gesture, signal, give a sign to, indicate, direct, motion, gesticulate;
wave, beckon, nod
2.1Communicate in sign language: she was learning to sign...
- Mr Maxwell, whose speciality is French and English starters, can lip read quite well but can only speak a few words, so he relies on signing to communicate.
- After ripping a steel sink from its moorings, the ape - famous for using sign language - signed to claim that her tiny pet kitten had done the damage
- She recently completed a Level One exam in sign-language, and signed to the audience what it means for her to be chosen to enter this competition.
2.2 [with object] Express or perform (something) in sign language: the Deaf Association Choir signed the hymns (as adjective signed) the theatre routinely puts on signed performances...
- The woman doing sign language during the broadcast instead signed to viewers the election was a fraud.
- Koko is famous for knowing sign language, and she was able to sign to her handlers in California that she had a toothache.
- He has also learnt sign language and can now sign 30 words and speak them clearly.
3 [with object] Indicate with signposts or other markers: the footpath is signed by the gate...
- As the road bends sharply to the right, pass through the gate on the left signed Public Bridleway Route Diverted.
- At bottom of hill turn left to pass through farm buildings and a gate signed Ebor Way.
- Turn right along here, just a few metres before almost immediately turning sharp right along the signed footpath by a farm gate.
4 [with object] archaic Mark or consecrate with the sign of the cross: he signed himself with the cross...
- He ran up to the front of the church demanding to be signed with the cross.
Phrases
sign of the cross
sign of the times
signed, sealed, and delivered (or signed and sealed)
Phrasal verbs
sign something away/over
sign for
sign in (or out)
sign someone in (or out)
sign off
sign someone off
sign off on
sign on
sign someone on
sign something out
sign up
sign someone up
Derivatives
signable
- Meantime, a website devoted to getting rid of him has appeared on the Internet, featuring articles and a signable petition.
- We will be sending in 8 days from today the signable copies.
- The dub has to be careful not to overpay for second-tier free agents just because they're signable and it needs to make changes.
signer
/ noun ...- The United States and other signers pledged never to ‘absolve’ a state of ‘any liability’ for the torture of POWs.
- And if you go to the website you'll see that they've already compiled an impressive and very politically and religiously diverse least of signers.
- To get 20,000 signers by September 2006, we will need approximately 15 new signatures per day on average.
Origin
Middle English: from Old French signe (noun), signer (verb), from Latin signum 'mark, token'.
Sign comes via Old French from Latin signum ‘mark, token’. From the same source come signal (Late Middle English), significant (late 16th century), signet (Late Middle English) ‘small seal’ with which you make your mark, and mid 16th-century signature, which was first used as a Scots legal term for a document presented by a writer for royal approval and seal. Resign (Late Middle English) is from Latin resignare ‘unseal, cancel’ See also seal