semaphore

[ sem-uh-fawr, -fohr ]

noun

1. an apparatus for conveying information by means of visual signals, as a light whose position may be changed.
2. any of various devices for signaling by changing the position of a light, flag, etc.
3. 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.

1. to signal by semaphore or by some system of flags.

semaphore

/ ˌsɛməˈfɒrɪk; ˈsɛməˌfɔː /

noun

1. an apparatus for conveying information by means of visual signals, as with movable arms or railway signals, flags, etc
2. a system of signalling by holding a flag in each hand and moving the arms to designated positions to denote each letter of the alphabet

verb

1. to signal (information) by means of semaphore

Derived Forms

• ˌsemaˈphorically, adverb
• semaphoric, adjective

Other Words From

• sem·a·phor·ic [sem-, uh, -, fawr, -ik, -, for, -], sema·phori·cal adjective
• sema·phori·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of semaphore¹

First recorded in 1810–20; from French sémaphore, from Greek sêma “sign”; -phore

Word History and Origins

Origin of semaphore¹

C19: via French, from Greek sēma a signal + -phore

Example Sentences

She knows how to tell us what her character is thinking without spelling it out in broad emotional semaphore—although the movie around her does a pretty efficient job of that.

From Time

A sailor on her deck began to swing his arms in the curious semaphore language of the sea.

From Project Gutenberg

She flung wild arms of a semaphore signalling national events.

From Project Gutenberg

M. Chappe, the inventor of the semaphore, tried about the year 1790 to introduce a synchronous electric telegraph, and failed.

From Project Gutenberg

One instant I saw the banker toss his arms like a semaphore; the next we were overborne.

From Project Gutenberg

"Capital idea—semaphore—clever fellow, Jack," shouted Brand.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• alarm
• beacon
• cue
• gesture
• indicator
• sign