SEMAPHORE


Meaning of SEMAPHORE in English

— semaphoric /sem'euh fawr"ik, -for"-/ , semaphorical , adj. — semaphorically , adv.

/sem"euh fawr', -fohr'/ , n. , v. , semaphored, semaphoring .

n.

1. an apparatus for conveying information by means of visual signals, as a light whose position may be changed.

2. any of various devices for signaling by changing the position of a light, flag, etc.

3. a system of signaling, esp. a system by which a special flag is held in each hand and various positions of the arms indicate specific letters, numbers, etc.

v.t. , v.i.

4. to signal by semaphore or by some system of flags.

[ 1810-20; sêma sign + -PHORE ]

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .