QUIZZES

DON’T VACILLATE! VANQUISH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

It’d be a real faux pas to miss this quiz on the words from August 3–9, 2020!
Question 1 of 7
What does “vacillate” mean?
to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.
to cause to be empty or unoccupied.
to assent tacitly; agree; consent.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of signal

1350–1400; Middle English (noun) <Medieval Latin signāle,Late Latin, noun use of neuter of signālis of a sign. See sign, -al2, -al1

OTHER WORDS FROM signal

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH signal

signal , single.

Words nearby signal

sign, signa, signable, Signac, signage, signal, signal board, signal box, signal corps, signal generator, signalize
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to signal

noticeable, salient, conspicuous, momentous, noteworthy, indicator, alarm, cue, sign, beacon, gesture, warn, pronounced, striking, characteristic, notable, marked, arresting, individual, distinguished

Example sentences from the Web for signal

British Dictionary definitions for signal

signal
/ (ˈsɪɡnəl) /

noun

any sign, gesture, token, etc, that serves to communicate information
anything that acts as an incitement to actionthe rise in prices was a signal for rebellion
  1. a variable parameter, such as a current or electromagnetic wave, by which information is conveyed through an electronic circuit, communications system, etc
  2. the information so conveyed
  3. (as modifier)signal strength; a signal generator

adjective

distinguished or conspicuous
used to give or act as a signal

verb -nals, -nalling or -nalled or US -nals, -naling or -naled

to communicate (a message, etc) to (a person)

Derived forms of signal

signaller or US signaler, noun

Word Origin for signal

C16: from Old French seignal, from Medieval Latin signāle, from Latin signum 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

Scientific definitions for signal

signal
[ sĭg′nəl ]

A fluctuating quantity or impulse whose variations represent information. The amplitude or frequency of voltage, current, electric field strength, light, and sound can be varied as signals representing information.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.