sign

¹sign

noun \ˈsīn\

Definition of SIGN

1

a : a motion or gesture by which a thought is expressed or a command or wish made known b : signal 2a c : a fundamental linguistic unit that designates an object or relation or has a purely syntactic function <signs include words, morphemes, and punctuation> d : one of a set of gestures used to represent language; also : sign language

2

: a mark having a conventional meaning and used in place of words or to represent a complex notion

3

: one of the 12 divisions of the zodiac

4

a (1) : a character (as a flat or sharp) used in musical notation (2) : segno b : a character (as ÷) indicating a mathematical operation; also : one of two characters + and − that form part of the symbol of a number and characterize it as positive or negative

5

a : a display (as a lettered board or a configuration of neon tubing) used to identify or advertise a place of business or a product b : a posted command, warning, or direction c : signboard

6

a : something material or external that stands for or signifies something spiritual b : something indicating the presence or existence of something else <signs of success> <a sign of the times> c : presage, portent <signs of an early spring> d : an objective evidence of plant or animal disease

7

plural usually sign : traces of a usually wild animal <red fox sign>

Examples of SIGN

1. The sign in the store window says “OPEN.”
2. After you get off the highway, follow the signs for Route 25.
3. He ran the stop sign.
4. There was a “For Sale” sign on the car.
5. All the signs point to him as the guilty party.
6. She ignored me, which was a sure sign that she was mad at me.
7. “The company called me in for a second interview.” “That's a good sign.”
8. It was a bad sign that he couldn't walk on the injured leg.
9. There are plenty of warning signs that the company is in danger of bankruptcy.
10. They bowed before the king as a sign of respect.

Origin of SIGN

Middle English signe, from Anglo-French, from Latin signum mark, token, sign, image, seal; perhaps akin to Latin secare to cut — more at saw

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to SIGN

Synonyms: gesticulation, mime, pantomime, gesture, signal

Related Words: beck, beckon, flourish, shrug, wave; body language, posture; indication, motion; sign language

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Synonym Discussion of SIGN

sign, mark, token, note, symptom mean a discernible indication of what is not itself directly perceptible. sign applies to any indication to be perceived by the senses or the reason <encouraging signs for the economy>. mark suggests something impressed on or inherently characteristic of a thing often in contrast to general outward appearance <a mark of a good upbringing>. token applies to something that serves as a proof of something intangible <this gift is a token of our esteem>. note suggests a distinguishing mark or characteristic <a note of irony in her writing>. symptom suggests an outward indication of an internal change or condition <rampant crime is a symptom of that city's decay>.

Rhymes with SIGN

bine, brine, chine, cline, dine, dyne, fine, Jain, line, Main, mine, nine, pine, Quine, Rhine, rind, shine, shrine, spine, spline, stein, swine, syne, thine, tine, trine, twine, vine, whine, wine