signature

[ sig-nuh-cher, -choo r ]

/ ˈsɪg nə tʃər, -ˌtʃʊər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR signature ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person's name, or a mark representing it, as signed personally or by deputy, as in subscribing a letter or other document.

the act of signing a document.

Music. a sign or set of signs at the beginning of a staff to indicate the key or the time of a piece.

Radio. a song, musical arrangement, sound effect, etc., used as a theme identifying a program.

any unique, distinguishing aspect, feature, or mark.

Medicine/Medical. that part of a written prescription that specifies directions for use.

Biology, Medicine/Medical. a distinctive characteristic or set of characteristics by which a biological structure or medical condition is recognized.

Also called section. Bookbinding. a printed sheet folded to page size for binding together, with other such sheets, to form a book, magazine, etc.

Printing.

a letter or other symbol generally placed by the printer at the foot of the first page of every sheet to guide the binder in folding the sheets and in gathering them in sequence.
a sheet so marked.

Chemistry, Physics. a characteristic trace or sign that indicates the presence of a substance or the occurrence of a physical process or event: The satellite recorded a spectrum that is the signature of a nuclear explosion.

adjective

serving to identify or distinguish a person, group, etc.: a signature tune.

Nearby words

Origin of signature

1525–35; < Medieval Latin signātūra a signing, equivalent to Latin signāt(us) past participle of signāre to mark (see sign, -ate¹) + -ūra -ure

Related formssig·na·ture·less, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for signature

It is not a decisive war, with a single, signature victory, but a war of attrition.
Pentagon Doesn’t Know How Many People It’s Killed in the ISIS War|Nancy A. Youssef|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The pieces are near-identical, excepting the signature buttons on the Chanel suit and a few small tailoring details.
The Big Business of Fashion Counterfeits|Lizzie Crocker|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even his signature instrument, Auto-Tune, has become as accepted an ingredient in hip-hop as the drum machine.
Future Makes Us Rethink Everything We Thought We Knew About Rap Artists|Luke Hopping|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lacking any sense of irony, Eldridge made campaign-finance reform a signature plank.
The Rise and Fall of Chris Hughes and Sean Eldridge, America’s Worst Gay Power Couple|James Kirchick|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

For obvious reasons, finalizing such an agreement would have required the presence and signature of both candidates.
How to Fight Corruption With Game Theory|Mark McKinnon|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I learn that in Pennsylvania the applicant's signature is not required by the Pardon Board.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman
The color of the ink used by the forger was not the same as that in the signature.
The Scarlet Feather|Houghton Townley
When you again secure the signature you require, we will see to it that another messenger is dispatched to your home bearing it.
The Pioneer Boys of the Yellowstone|Harrison Adams
This is a case in which it may be said that the figures are worthless without the signature.
Pedagogical Anthropology|Maria Montessori
Mr. Aston looked at the note again and reread the signature, then he gave it back, satisfied.
Christopher Hibbault, Roadmaker|Marguerite Bryant

British Dictionary definitions for signature

signature

/ (ˈsɪɡnɪtʃə) /

noun

the name of a person or a mark or sign representing his name, marked by himself or by an authorized deputy

the act of signing one's name

a distinctive mark, characteristic, etc, that identifies a person or thing
(as modifier)a signature fragrance

music See key signature, time signature

US the part of a medical prescription that instructs a patient how frequently and in what amounts he should take a drug or agentAbbreviation: Sig, S

printing

a sheet of paper printed with several pages that upon folding will become a section or sections of a book
such a sheet so folded
a mark, esp a letter, printed on the first page of a signature

Word Origin for signature

C16: from Old French, from Medieval Latin signātura, from Latin signāre to 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 signature

signature

1530s, a kind of document in Scottish law, from Middle French signature (16c.) or directly from Medieval Latin signatura "signature, a rescript," in classical Latin "the matrix of a seal," from signatus, past participle of signare "to mark with a stamp, sign" (see sign (v.)).

Meaning "one's own name written in one's own hand" is from 1570s, replacing sign-manual (early 15c.) in this sense. Musical sense of "signs placed it the beginning of a staff to indicate the key and rhythm" is from 1806. Meaning "a distinguishing mark of any kind" is from 1620s.

Medicine definitions for signature

signature

[ sĭg′nə-chər ]

n.

The part of a physician's prescription containing directions to the patient.

signature

noun

adjective

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Origin of signature

Examples from the Web for signature

signature

noun

Word Origin for signature

signature

signature

n.