signet

noun sig·net \ ˈsig-nət \

|Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of signet

1 : a seal used officially to give personal authority to a document in lieu of signature

2 : the impression made by or as if by a signet

3 : a small intaglio seal (as in a finger ring)

Recent Examples of signet from the Web

At the opening night of the theater production Head Over Heels on Wednesday Paltrow was photographed wearing a signet-style ring that features Falchuck's initials.

— alex warner, Marie Claire, "Gwyneth Paltrow May Have Just Confirmed Her Secret Marriage to Brad Falchuck," 19 Apr. 2018
The brunette ex-assistant appears strikingly Kim-esque in front of the camera—confidently posing in statement hoop earrings, lariat necklaces and signet-style rings from the label's latest launch.

— megan decker, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kim Kardashian’s Ex-Assistant Just Landed A Major Modeling Gig," 16 Mar. 2018
Yurman's version is a little less pretentious than a signet crest, and instead pure couture carnival fun.

— micaela english, Town & Country, "David Yurman Now Makes Jewelry That Smells Like Cotton Candy," 24 Aug. 2015
Up close, the polished wood betrays marks from Churchill’s nails and signet ring.

— jackie mansky, Smithsonian, "Go Behind the Glass of Churchill’s Underground War Rooms," 22 Aug. 2017
In 2012, he was diagnosed with a form of cancer called signet ring cell adenocarcinoma, which was based in his abdominal area.

— ashley luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee police veteran dies after battle with rare cancer," 15 Aug. 2017
Inspired by the classic signet ring, this comes in sizes 9 and 11.

— lindsay peoples, The Cut, "Finally, Someone Understands That Jewelry Should Come in Extended Sizes Too," 10 July 2017
We’ve been very inspired by signets, mystic symbols, and ancient watermarks, but wanted to create our own unique set of imagery for the can.

— madeleine luckel, Vogue, "This Rosé in a Can Is the Only Summer Drink You’ll Need," 14 May 2017
Raclaw's particular cancer is called signet ring cell adenocarcinoma.

— jim stingl, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Stingl: A day of congratulations and goodbyes for a Milwaukee cop with cancer," 30 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'signet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Signets have been used for thousands of years. The design of a signet is personalized for its owner, and no two are alike. The ancients used signets to mark their possessions and to sign contracts. In later years signets were used to stamp a blob of hot wax sealing a folded secret document so that it couldn't be opened and read without the design being broken. The Pope still wears a signet, called the Fisherman's Ring, which is carved with a figure of St. Peter encircled with the Pope's name; after a Pope's death, the ring is destroyed and a new one is made.