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

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

²sign

verb

Definition of SIGN

transitive verb

1

a : cross 2

b : to place a sign on or mark by signs <sign a trail>

c : to represent or indicate by a sign

2

a : to affix a signature to : ratify or attest by hand or seal <sign a bill into law> <sign a confession>

b : to assign or convey formally <signed over his property to his brother>

c : to write down (one's name)

d : to affix one's name to <a signed review>

3

: to communicate by making a sign or by sign language

4

: to engage or hire by securing the signature of on a contract of employment —often used with up or on

intransitive verb

1

: to write one's name in token of assent, responsibility, or obligation <signed for the packages> <signed with the team for one season>

2

a : to make a sign or signal

b : to use sign language

— sign·ee \ˌsī-ˈnē\ noun

— sign·er \ˈsī-nər\ noun

Examples of SIGN

1. Sign your name on the bottom line.
2. She met with fans and signed autographs.
3. Please sign at the bottom of the application.
4. You forgot to sign the document.
5. He was forced to sign the confession.
6. The contract was signed by both parties.
7. The author will be signing copies of his books today.
8. The contract should be signed, sealed, and delivered by tomorrow.
9. The team signed the pitcher to a three-year contract.
10. He is signed to a three-year contract.

Origin of SIGN

Middle English, from Anglo-French signer, from Latin signare to mark, sign, seal, from signum

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to SIGN

Synonyms

autograph, ink, subscribe

Related Words

sign up; cosign, countersign, endorse (also indorse), register, sign on; inscribe; author, pen, pencil (in), scratch (out), scrawl, scribble; notarize

sign

noun \ˈsīn\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of SIGN

1

: one of a set of gestures used to represent language

2

: an objective evidence of disease especially as observed and interpreted by the physician rather than by the patient or lay observer <narrow retinal vessels are a sign of arteriosclerosis>—see brudzinski sign, chvostek's sign, homans' sign, kernig sign, physical sign, placental sign, romberg's sign, tinel's sign, vital signs, von graefe's sign; compare symptom

sign

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In marketing and advertising, a device placed on or before a premises to identify its occupant and the nature of the business done there or, placed at a distance, to advertise a business or its products. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks used signs for advertising purposes, as did the Romans, who also, in effect, created signboards by whitewashing convenient sections of walls for suitable inscriptions. Early shop signs were developed when tradesmen, dealing with a largely illiterate public, devised certain easily recognizable emblems to represent their trades. Modern sign designers use various forms of animation and light.