signifié
[see-nyee-fyey]
- (in linguistics) the signified.
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signify
[sig-nuh-fahy]
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- to be of importance or consequence.
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Origin of signify
Synonyms
See more synonyms for signify on Thesaurus.com1. signal, express, indicate. 2. represent, indicate, denote, betoken, imply.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for signifies
Contemporary Examples
This is by far the best line of the entire movie, because it signifies that the movie is over.
To men, long hair on a woman is a turn-on because it signifies fertility and clichéd ideas of femininity.
But its what the death of ADAM signifies, not simply the loss of it, that discourages Wish.
It had a pendant that looked like a house, which to me signifies warmth and happiness.
The voter-turnout statement is also meaningful for what it signifies.
Historical Examples
This signifies more than the stilling of guns, easing the sorrow of war.
But when it is at the End, it signifies, that the Foot must remain up.
OrchesographyJohn Weaver
What signifies owning a fault without mending it, you'll say?
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
I shall not stay in them: so it signifies nothing to tell you how to direct to me hither.
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
The Hova term for polygamy is rafy, which signifies adversary.
The Sexual QuestionAugust Forel
signify
- (tr) to indicate, show, or suggest
- (tr) to imply or portendthe clouds signified the coming storm
- (tr) to stand as a symbol, sign, etc (for)
- (intr) informal to be significant or important
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Word Origin
C13: from Old French signifier, from Latin significāre, from signum a sign, mark + facere to make
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for signifies
signify
v.
late 13c., "be a sign of, indicate, mean," from Old French signifier (12c.), from Latin significare "to make signs, show by signs, point out, express; mean, signify; foreshadow, portend," from significus (adj.), from signum "sign" (see sign (n.)) + root of facere "to make" (see factitious). Intransitive sense of "to be of importance" is attested from 1660s. Meaning "engage in mock-hostile banter" is American English black slang first recorded 1932.
...'signifying,' which in Harlemese means making a series of oblique remarks apparently addressed to no one in particular, but unmistakable in intention in such a close-knit circle. ["Down Beat," March 7, 1968]
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper