I. ˈsig-n ə l noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin signale, from Late Latin, neuter of signalis of a sign, from Latin signum
Date: 14th century
1. : sign , indication
2.
a. : an act, event, or watchword that has been agreed on as the occasion of concerted action
b. : something that incites to action
3. : something (as a sound, gesture, or object) that conveys notice or warning
4.
a. : an object used to transmit or convey information beyond the range of human voice
b. : the sound or image conveyed in telegraphy, telephony, radio, radar, or television
c. : a detectable physical quantity or impulse (as a voltage, current, or magnetic field strength) by which messages or information can be transmitted
II. verb
( sig·naled or sig·nalled ; sig·nal·ing or sig·nal·ling -nə-liŋ)
Date: 1805
transitive verb
1. : to notify by a signal
signal the fleet to turn back
2.
a. : to communicate or indicate by or as if by signals
signal ed the end of an era
b. : to constitute a characteristic feature of (a meaningful linguistic form)
intransitive verb
: to make or send a signal
• sig·nal·er or sig·nal·ler noun
III. adjective
Etymology: modification of French signalé, past participle of signaler to distinguish, from Old Italian segnalare to signal, distinguish, from segnale signal, from Medieval Latin signale
Date: 1627
: distinguished from the ordinary : notable
a signal achievement