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sign

[sahyn]
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noun
  1. a token; indication.
  2. any object, action, event, pattern, etc., that conveys a meaning.
  3. a conventional or arbitrary mark, figure, or symbol used as an abbreviation for the word or words it represents.
  4. a motion or gesture used to express or convey an idea, command, decision, etc.: Her nod was a sign that it was time to leave.
  5. a notice, bearing a name, direction, warning, or advertisement, that is displayed or posted for public view: a traffic sign; a store sign.
  6. a trace; vestige: There wasn't a sign of them.
  7. an arbitrary or conventional symbol used in musical notation to indicate tonality, tempo, etc.
  8. Medicine/Medical. the objective indications of a disease.
  9. any meaningful gestural unit belonging to a sign language.
  10. an omen; portent: a sign of approaching decadence.
  11. sign of the zodiac.
  12. sign language(def 1).
  13. Usually signs. traces, as footprints, of a wild animal.
  14. Mathematics.
    1. a plus sign or minus sign used as a symbol for indicating addition or subtraction.
    2. a plus sign or minus sign used as a symbol for indicating the positive or negative value of a quantity, as an integer.
    3. multiplication sign.
    4. division sign.
    5. a symbol, as  or !, used to indicate a radical or factorial operation.
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verb (used with object)
  1. to affix a signature to: to sign a letter.
  2. to write as a signature: to sign one's name.
  3. to engage by written agreement: to sign a new player.
  4. to mark with a sign, especially the sign of the cross.
  5. to communicate by means of a sign; signal: He signed his wish to leave.
  6. to convey (a message) in a sign language.
  7. Obsolete. to direct or appoint by a sign.
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verb (used without object)
  1. to write one's signature, as a token of agreement, obligation, receipt, etc.: to sign for a package.
  2. to make a sign or signal: He signed to her to go away.
  3. to employ a sign language for communication.
  4. to obligate oneself by signature: He signed with another team for the next season.
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Verb Phrases
  1. sign away/over, to assign or dispose of by affixing one's signature to a document: She signed over her fortune to the church.
  2. sign in, to record or authorize one's arrival (or departure) by signing a register.Also sign out.
  3. sign off,
    1. to withdraw, as from some responsibility or connection.
    2. to cease radio or television broadcasting, especially at the end of the day.
    3. Informal.to become silent: He had exhausted conversation topics and signed off.
    4. to indicate one's approval explicitly if not formally: The president is expected to sign off on the new agreement.
  4. sign on,
    1. to employ; hire.
    2. to bind oneself to work, as by signing a contract: He signed on as a pitcher with a major-league team.
    3. to start radio or television broadcasting, especially at the beginning of the day.
    4. Computers.log1(def 17a).
  5. sign up, to enlist, as in an organization or group; to register or subscribe: to sign up for the navy; to sign up for class.
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Origin of sign

1175–1225; (noun) Middle English signe < Old French < Latin signum mark, sign, ensign, signal, image; (v.) Middle English signen to mark with a sign, especially the sign of the cross < Old French signer < Latin signāre to mark with a sign, inscribe, affix a seal to, derivative of signum
Related formssign·less, adjectivesign·like, adjectivepost·sign, verb (used with object)un·signed, adjective
Can be confusedsign sing (see synonym study at the current entry)

Synonyms

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1. trace, hint, suggestion. 1, 4. signal. 10. indication, hint, augury. Sign, omen, portent name that which gives evidence of a future event. Sign is a general word for whatever gives evidence of an event—past, present, or future: Dark clouds are a sign of rain or snow. An omen is an augury or warning of things to come; it is used only of the future, in general, as good or bad: birds of evil omen. Portent, limited, like omen, to prophecy of the future, may be used of a specific event, usually a misfortune: portents of war.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

harbingertracehintlightsignalpredictioncluenoteflagwarninggesturesuggestionmanifestationwavesymbolsymptomproofnoticeemblemplacard

Examples from the Web for sign

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

British Dictionary definitions for sign

sign

noun
  1. something that indicates or acts as a token of a fact, condition, etc, that is not immediately or outwardly observable
  2. an action or gesture intended to convey information, a command, etc
    1. a board, placard, etc, displayed in public and inscribed with words or designs intended to inform, warn, etc
    2. (as modifier)a sign painter
  4. an arbitrary or conventional mark or device that stands for a word, phrase, etc
  5. maths logic
    1. any symbol indicating an operationa plus sign; an implication sign
    2. the positivity or negativity of a number, quantity, or expressionsubtraction from zero changes the sign of an expression
  6. an indication or vestigethe house showed no signs of being occupied
  7. a portentous or significant event
  8. an indication, such as a scent or spoor, of the presence of an animal
  9. med any objective evidence of the presence of a disease or disorderCompare symptom (def. 1)
  10. astrology Compare sign of the zodiac
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verb
  1. to write (one's name) as a signature to (a document, etc) in attestation, confirmation, ratification, etc
  2. (intr often foll by to) to make a sign; signal
  3. to engage or be engaged by written agreement, as a player for a team, etc
  4. (tr) to outline in gestures a sign over, esp the sign of the cross
  5. (tr) to indicate by or as if by a sign; betoken
  6. (intr) to use sign language
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See also sign away, sign in, sign off, sign on, sign out, sign up
Derived Formssignable, adjective

Word Origin

C13: from Old French signe, from Latin signum a sign
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for sign

n.

early 13c., "gesture or motion of the hand," especially one meant to communicate something, from Old French signe "sign, mark," from Latin signum "identifying mark, token, indication, symbol; proof; military standard, ensign; a signal, an omen; sign in the heavens, constellation," according to Watkins, literally "standard that one follows," from PIE *sekw-no-, from root *sekw- (1) "to follow" (see sequel).

Ousted native token. Meaning "a mark or device having some special importance" is recorded from late 13c.; that of "a miracle" is from c.1300. Zodiacal sense in English is from mid-14c. Sense of "characteristic device attached to the front of an inn, shop, etc., to distinguish it from others" is first recorded mid-15c. Meaning "token or signal of some condition" (late 13c.) is behind sign of the times (1520s). In some uses, the word probably is a shortening of ensign. Sign language is recorded from 1847; earlier hand-language (1670s).

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v.

c.1300, "to make the sign of the cross," from Old French signier "to make a sign (to someone); to mark," from Latin signare "to set a mark upon, mark out, designate; mark with a stamp; distinguish, adorn;" figuratively "to point out, signify, indicate," from signum (see sign (n.)). Sense of "to mark, stamp" is attested from mid-14c.; that of "to affix one's name" is from late 15c. Meaning "to communicate by hand signs" is recorded from 1700. Related: Signed; signing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
sign in Medicine

sign

(sīn)
n.
  1. An objective finding, usually detected on physical examination, from a laboratory test, or on an x-ray, that indicates the presence of abnormality or disease.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
sign in Science

sign

[sīn]
  1. A body manifestation, usually detected on physical examination or through laboratory tests or xrays, that indicates the presence of abnormality or disease. Compare symptom.
  2. See symbol. See Table at symbol.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Idioms and Phrases with sign

sign

In addition to the idioms beginning with sign

  • sign in
  • sign off
  • sign on
  • sign one's own death warrant
  • sign on the dotted line
  • sign out
  • sign over
  • sign up

, see

  • high sign
  • show signs of
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.