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Browse the Medical Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

signature

Main Entry:: sig·na·ture
Pronunciation:: \ˈsig-nə-ˌchu̇(ə)r, -chər, -ˌt(y)u̇(ə)r\
Function:: noun

1 : a feature in the appearance or qualities of a natural object formerly held to indicate its utility in medicine either because of a fancied resemblance to a body part (as a heart-shaped leaf indicating utility in heart disease) or because of a presumed relation to some phase of a disease (as the prickly nature of thistle indicating utility in case of a stitch in the side) 2 : the part of a medical prescription which contains the directions to the patient

Learn more about "signature" and related topics at Britannica.com

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