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 hand2: a feature in the appearance or qualities of a natural object formerly held to indicate its utility in medicine3 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 together4 a: key signature b: time signature5: the part of a medical prescription that contains the directions to the patient6: something (as a tune, style, or logo) that serves to set apart or identify ; also : a characteristic mark7: fingerprint 2