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sign manual

American  

noun

plural

signs manual
  1. a personal signature, especially that of a sovereign or official on a public document.


sign manual British  

noun

  1. law a person's signature in his own hand, esp that of a sovereign on an official document

"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

Etymology

Origin of sign manual

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And there, beyond, stood the wonderful thing, sign manual of modern comfort—a great red automobile with a gallant chauffeur!

From Project Gutenberg

King John, at Runnymede, affixing his sign manual to Magna Charta, with trembling hand, at the dictation of his haughty barons and their retainers.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a sign manual used in the secret society to which both of them belonged in the Academy at Centerville.

From Project Gutenberg

Whereupon Ruth, discerning the sign manual of a Melbourne photographer, could not help saying slyly, "Who is it, Tiny?"

From Project Gutenberg

It was, therefore, more in the construction and workmanship then, that the sign manual was perceptible.

From Project Gutenberg