I. -ī verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English signifien, from Old French signifier, from Latin significare, from signum sign, mark + -i- + -ficare -fy — more at sign
transitive verb
1.
a. : to be a sign of : mean , denote
a well-proportioned voice that signified a sense of justice and compassion — Osbert Sitwell
sentences signify propositions
perfection … signifies the approaching end of an epoch — A.N.Whitehead
the name is derived from the Celtic alb, which by some is made to signify white, by others height — Marrion Wilcox
b. : to bear as an inference or logical consequence : imply
machinery signifies urgency — David Sylvester
2.
a. : to show or make known especially by a conventional token (as word, signal, gesture)
signified his desire for another slice
b. : announce , intimate
signified his willingness to run for the office
3. obsolete : inform
intransitive verb
: to have meaning or significance : be of consequence : matter
according to this interpretation, only economic relations signify — Times Literary Supplement
never mind, it doesn't signify
married to Vulcan or married to Mars, what does it signify — W.S.Gilbert
Synonyms: see mean
II. intransitive verb
: to engage in signifying