I. ˈsīn 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
II. verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French signer, from Latin signare to mark, sign, seal, from signum
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : cross 2
b. : to place a sign on or mark by signs
sign a trail
c. : to represent or indicate by a sign
2.
a. : to affix a signature to : ratify or attest by hand or seal
sign a bill into law
sign a confession
b. : to assign or convey formally
sign ed over his property to his brother
c. : to write down (one's name)
d. : to affix one's name to
a sign ed review
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
intransitive verb
1. : to write one's name in token of assent, responsibility, or obligation
sign ed for the packages
sign ed with the team for one season
2.
a. : to make a sign or signal
b. : to use sign language
• sign·ee ˌsī-ˈnē noun
• sign·er ˈsī-nər noun