n.
Pronunciation: ' s ī n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English signe, from Anglo-French, from Latin signum mark, token, sign, image, seal; perhaps akin to Latin secare to cut ― more at SAW
Date: 13th century
1 a : a motion or gesture by which a thought is expressed or a command or wish made known b : SIGNAL 2A c : a fundamental linguistic unit that designates an object or relation or has a purely syntactic function < sign s include words, morphemes, and punctuation> d : one of a set of gestures used to represent language also : SIGN LANGUAGE
2 : a mark having a conventional meaning and used in place of words or to represent a complex notion
3 : one of the 12 divisions of the zodiac
4 a (1) : a character (as a flat or sharp) used in musical notation (2) : SEGNO b : a character (as ÷) indicating a mathematical operation also : one of two characters + and - that form part of the symbol of a number and characterize it as positive or negative
5 a : a display (as a lettered board or a configuration of neon tubing) used to identify or advertise a place of business or a product b : a posted command, warning, or direction c : SIGNBOARD
6 a : something material or external that stands for or signifies something spiritual b : something indicating the presence or existence of something else < sign s of success> <a sign of the times> c : PRESAGE , PORTENT < sign s of an early spring> d : an objective evidence of plant or animal disease
7 plural usually sign : traces of a usually wild animal <red fox sign >
synonyms SIGN , MARK , TOKEN , NOTE , SYMPTOM mean a discernible indication of what is not itself directly perceptible. SIGN applies to any indication to be perceived by the senses or the reason <encouraging signs for the economy>. MARK suggests something impressed on or inherently characteristic of a thing often in contrast to general outward appearance <a mark of a good upbringing>. TOKEN applies to something that serves as a proof of something intangible <this gift is a token of our esteem>. NOTE suggests a distinguishing mark or characteristic <a note of irony in her writing>. SYMPTOM suggests an outward indication of an internal change or condition <rampant crime is a symptom of that city's decay>.