sign manual
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
But their sign manual went no farther, for they now approached the house which evidently formed the dwelling and office of Coronel Nunes.
From The Pathless Trail by Friel, Arthur O. (Arthur Olney)
It was therefore obligatory that purchasers should know his work, that in fact his sign manual should be always present.
From Antonio Stradivari by Petherick, Horace William
The requisition is made in proper form, under his Majesty’s sign manual.
From The Great Mogul by Tracy, Louis
But he refused to ponder on how Dalis the betrayer had gained possession of the secret sign manual he had believed known only to Jaska and himself.
From Astounding Stories of Super-Science July 1930 by Bates, Harry
The Council was to be composed of at least seven members, appointed by writ of summons, issued pursuant to a mandamus under the sign manual of the Sovereign.
From The Rise of Canada, from Barbarism to Wealth and Civilisation Volume 1 by Roger, Charles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
