sign manual

American  

noun

plural

signs manual

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

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sign manual British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of sign manual

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

In the present day it is used to designate the "sign manual" or autograph signature of the sovereign.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 1 "Austria, Lower" to "Bacon" by Various

Before this vision there rose up in him the ardent impulse to immediate effort which is the sign manual of the man of action.

From The Squirrel-Cage by Williams, John Alanzo

Some of the men who brought in the wounded men continued on to the bushmen and, in significant sign manual, requested a loan of their machetes.

From The Pathless Trail by Friel, Arthur O. (Arthur Olney)

But another form of sign manual also arose out of the subscription.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 5 "Dinard" to "Dodsworth" by Various

The silence, the sign manual, the odd, awesome sensations, all combined to rob them of courage.

From Lords of the Stratosphere by Burks, Arthur J.