Main Entry: sig·na·ture

Pronunciation: \ˈsig-nə-ˌchu̇r, -chər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French, from Medieval Latin signatura, from Latin signatus, past participle of signare to sign, seal

Date: 1536

1 a : the act of signing one's name to something b : the name of a person written with his or her own hand
2 : a feature in the appearance or qualities of a natural object formerly held to indicate its utility in medicine
3 a : a letter or figure placed usually at the bottom of the first page on each sheet of printed pages (as of a book) as a direction to the binder in arranging and gathering the sheets b : one unit of a book comprising a group of printed sheets that are folded and stitched together
4 a : key signature b : time signature
5 : the part of a medical prescription that contains the directions to the patient
6 : something (as a tune, style, or logo) that serves to set apart or identify; also : a characteristic mark
7 : fingerprint 2