n. & v.
n. 1 Mil. etc. a system of sending messages by holding the arms or two flags in certain positions according to an alphabetic code. 2 a signalling apparatus consisting of a post with a movable arm or arms, lanterns, etc., for use (esp. on railways) by day or night.
v.intr. & tr. signal or send by semaphore. semaphoric adj. semaphorically adv.
[ F sémaphore, irreg. f. Gk sema sign + -phoros -PHORE ]