■ noun
1》 an object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence, occurrence, or advent of something else.
↘ Medicine an indication of a disease detectable by a medical practitioner even if not apparent to the patient. Compare with symptom .
↘ N. Amer. the trail of a wild animal.
2》 a ~al conveying information or an instruction.
↘a gesture used in ~ language.
3》 a public notice giving information or instructions in a written or symbolic form.
4》 a symbol or word used to represent an operation, instruction, concept, or object in algebra, music, or other subjects.
5》 Astrology each of the twelve equal sections into which the zodiac is divided, named from the constellations formerly situated in each, and associated with successive periods of the year according to the position of the sun on the ecliptic.
6》 Mathematics the positiveness or negativeness of a quantity.
■ verb
1》 write one's name on (something) for the purposes of identification or authorization.
↘write (one's name) for such a purpose.
2》 (with reference to a sports player, musician, etc.) engage for or commit oneself to work by ~ing a contract.
3》 use gestures to convey information or instructions.
↘communicate in ~ language.
4》 indicate with ~posts or other markers.
5》 mark or consecrate with the ~ of the cross.
Phrasal verbs
~ in (or out ) ~ a register on arrival (or departure) in a hotel or workplace.
~ someone in (or out ) record someone's arrival (or departure) in a register.
~ off conclude a letter, broadcast, or other message.
~ someone off record that someone is entitled to miss work.
~ off on N. Amer. informal give one's approval to.
~ on
1》 commit oneself to employment, membership of a society, etc.
2》 Brit. register as unemployed.
~ someone on take someone into one's employment.
~ up
1》 commit oneself to a period of employment, education, etc.
2》 (also ~ something up ) conclude a business deal.
Derivatives
~able adjective
~ed adjective
~er noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. ~e (n.), ~er (v.), from L. ~um 'mark, token'.