semaphore
[sem-uh-fawr, -fohr]
noun
an apparatus for conveying information by means of visual signals, as a light whose position may be changed.
any of various devices for signaling by changing the position of a light, flag, etc.
a system of signaling, especially a system by which a special flag is held in each hand and various positions of the arms indicate specific letters, numbers, etc.
verb (used with or without object), sem·a·phored, sem·a·phor·ing.
to signal by semaphore or by some system of flags.
RELATED CONTENT
RELATED WORDS
warn, nod, wave, flash, communicate, sign, motion, wink, flag, beckon, gesticulate, signalize, gesture
Origin of semaphore
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for semaphore
Historical Examples of semaphore
And again, with slow-moving white arms she began to semaphore.
Tarrano the ConquerorRaymond King Cummings
Each company had been teaching all the men the semaphore code.
The Red WatchJ. A. Currie
"I jess was looking at that thing," she said bashfully, pointing to the semaphore.
"That semaphore dodge is too precious to be lost," cried Enid.
The Pillar of LightLouis Tracy
Semaphore the convoy and report that the men have been picked up.
A Lively Bit of the FrontPercy F. Westerman
semaphore
noun
verb
Word Origin for semaphore
C19: via French, from Greek sēma a signal + -phore
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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