sign
- a token; indication.
- any object, action, event, pattern, etc., that conveys a meaning.
- a conventional or arbitrary mark, figure, or symbol used as an abbreviation for the word or words it represents.
- a motion or gesture used to express or convey an idea, command, decision, etc.: Her nod was a sign that it was time to leave.
- a notice, bearing a name, direction, warning, or advertisement, that is displayed or posted for public view: a traffic sign; a store sign.
- a trace; vestige: There wasn't a sign of them.
- an arbitrary or conventional symbol used in musical notation to indicate tonality, tempo, etc.
- Medicine/Medical. the objective indications of a disease.
- any meaningful gestural unit belonging to a sign language.
- an omen; portent: a sign of approaching decadence.
- sign of the zodiac.
- sign language(def 1).
- Usually signs. traces, as footprints, of a wild animal.
- Mathematics.
- a plus sign or minus sign used as a symbol for indicating addition or subtraction.
- a plus sign or minus sign used as a symbol for indicating the positive or negative value of a quantity, as an integer.
- multiplication sign.
- division sign.
- a symbol, as or !, used to indicate a radical or factorial operation.
- to affix a signature to: to sign a letter.
- to write as a signature: to sign one's name.
- to engage by written agreement: to sign a new player.
- to mark with a sign, especially the sign of the cross.
- to communicate by means of a sign; signal: He signed his wish to leave.
- to convey (a message) in a sign language.
- Obsolete. to direct or appoint by a sign.
- to write one's signature, as a token of agreement, obligation, receipt, etc.: to sign for a package.
- to make a sign or signal: He signed to her to go away.
- to employ a sign language for communication.
- to obligate oneself by signature: He signed with another team for the next season.
- sign away/over, to assign or dispose of by affixing one's signature to a document: She signed over her fortune to the church.
- sign in, to record or authorize one's arrival (or departure) by signing a register.Also sign out.
- sign off,
- to withdraw, as from some responsibility or connection.
- to cease radio or television broadcasting, especially at the end of the day.
- Informal.to become silent: He had exhausted conversation topics and signed off.
- to indicate one's approval explicitly if not formally: The president is expected to sign off on the new agreement.
- sign on,
- to employ; hire.
- to bind oneself to work, as by signing a contract: He signed on as a pitcher with a major-league team.
- to start radio or television broadcasting, especially at the beginning of the day.
- Computers.log1(def 17a).
- sign up, to enlist, as in an organization or group; to register or subscribe: to sign up for the navy; to sign up for class.
Origin of sign
Synonyms for sign
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comExamples from the Web for signed
Contemporary Examples of signed
In fact, by the end of 2014, it passed over 220 bills, which were signed into law by President Barack Obama.
Nazis, Sunscreen, and Sea Gull Eggs: Congress in 2014 Was Hella ProductiveBen Jacobs
December 29, 2014
In 2007, President Bush signed a law that required all Head Start grantees to be evaluated using an evidence-based system.
Craig is signed on for just one more Bond flick after Spectre.
Exclusive: Sony Emails Reveal Studio Head Wants Idris Elba For the Next James BondWilliam Boot
December 19, 2014
But these must be proven under a signed and sworn statement and judged reasonable by the DOH.
Henry only signed the statement because he believed that he had to do that in order to go home.
Historical Examples of signed
Why, this here despatch is signed by young Toler—that's his confidential man.
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
And before you got off the beams, Andrew, the governor of this State will have signed a pardon for you.
Way of the LawlessMax Brand
She signed to the Seven, and they came huddling to her like quail; she put them behind her.
The Trail BookMary Austin
He signed to me to take a broom—to march into the garden—to set to work.
The Boy Life of NapoleonEugenie Foa
"My letter to you was not signed, I believe," said Vivian, in an altered voice.
Tales And Novels, Volume 5 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
sign
- something that indicates or acts as a token of a fact, condition, etc, that is not immediately or outwardly observable
- an action or gesture intended to convey information, a command, etc
- a board, placard, etc, displayed in public and inscribed with words or designs intended to inform, warn, etc
- (as modifier)a sign painter
- an arbitrary or conventional mark or device that stands for a word, phrase, etc
- maths logic
- any symbol indicating an operationa plus sign; an implication sign
- the positivity or negativity of a number, quantity, or expressionsubtraction from zero changes the sign of an expression
- an indication or vestigethe house showed no signs of being occupied
- a portentous or significant event
- an indication, such as a scent or spoor, of the presence of an animal
- med any objective evidence of the presence of a disease or disorderCompare symptom (def. 1)
- astrology Compare sign of the zodiac
- to write (one's name) as a signature to (a document, etc) in attestation, confirmation, ratification, etc
- (intr often foll by to) to make a sign; signal
- to engage or be engaged by written agreement, as a player for a team, etc
- (tr) to outline in gestures a sign over, esp the sign of the cross
- (tr) to indicate by or as if by a sign; betoken
- (intr) to use sign language
Word Origin for sign
Word Origin and History for signed
sign
early 13c., "gesture or motion of the hand," especially one meant to communicate something, from Old French signe "sign, mark," from Latin signum "identifying mark, token, indication, symbol; proof; military standard, ensign; a signal, an omen; sign in the heavens, constellation," according to Watkins, literally "standard that one follows," from PIE *sekw-no-, from root *sekw- (1) "to follow" (see sequel).
Ousted native token. Meaning "a mark or device having some special importance" is recorded from late 13c.; that of "a miracle" is from c.1300. Zodiacal sense in English is from mid-14c. Sense of "characteristic device attached to the front of an inn, shop, etc., to distinguish it from others" is first recorded mid-15c. Meaning "token or signal of some condition" (late 13c.) is behind sign of the times (1520s). In some uses, the word probably is a shortening of ensign. Sign language is recorded from 1847; earlier hand-language (1670s).
sign
c.1300, "to make the sign of the cross," from Old French signier "to make a sign (to someone); to mark," from Latin signare "to set a mark upon, mark out, designate; mark with a stamp; distinguish, adorn;" figuratively "to point out, signify, indicate," from signum (see sign (n.)). Sense of "to mark, stamp" is attested from mid-14c.; that of "to affix one's name" is from late 15c. Meaning "to communicate by hand signs" is recorded from 1700. Related: Signed; signing.
sign
(sīn)- An objective finding, usually detected on physical examination, from a laboratory test, or on an x-ray, that indicates the presence of abnormality or disease.
sign
- A body manifestation, usually detected on physical examination or through laboratory tests or xrays, that indicates the presence of abnormality or disease. Compare symptom.
- See symbol. See Table at symbol.
Idioms and Phrases with signed
sign
In addition to the idioms beginning with sign
- sign in
- sign off
- sign on
- sign one's own death warrant
- sign on the dotted line
- sign out
- sign over
- sign up
, see
- high sign
- show signs of