[sign] n [ME signe, fr. OF, fr. L signum mark, token, sign, image, seal; perh. akin to L secare to cut--more at saw] (13c) 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 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 indicating a mathematical operation; also: one of two characters indicating plus or minus 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 "~s of success" "a ~ of the times" c: presage, portent "~s of an early spring" d: an objective evidence of plant or animal disease
7. pl usu sign : traces of a usu. wild animal "red fox ~" -- signed adj syn 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".
[2]sign vb [ME, fr. MF signer, fr. L signare to mark, sign, seal, fr. signum] vt (13c) 1 a: cross
2. b: to place a sign on c: to represent or indicate by a sign
2. a: to affix a signature to: ratify or attest by hand or seal "~ a bill into law" "the prisoner ~ed a confession" b: to assign or convey formally "~ed over his property to his brother" c: to write down (one's name)
3: to communicate by making a sign or by sign language
4: to engage or hire by securing the signature of on a contract of employment--often used with up or on ~ vi 1: to write one's name in token of assent, responsibility, or obligation
2. a: to make a sign or signal b: to use sign language -- sign.ee n -- sign.er n