sign

/sˈaɪn/ · 1 syllable

Meaning

noun

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
“he showed signs of strain”
a public display of a message
“he posted signs in all the shop windows”
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
“signals from the boat suddenly stopped”
structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted
“the highway was lined with signboards”
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
(medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease
“there were no signs of asphyxiation”
having an indicated pole (as the distinction between positive and negative electric charges)
“he got the polarity of the battery reversed”
an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come
“he hoped it was an augury”
a gesture that is part of a sign language
a fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified--de Saussure
“The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary”
a character indicating a relation between quantities
“don't forget the minus sign”

verb

mark with one's signature; write one's name (on)
“She signed the letter and sent it off”
approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation
“All parties ratified the peace treaty”
be engaged by a written agreement
“He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18”
engage by written agreement
“They signed two new pitchers for the next season”
communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs
“He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture”
place signs, as along a road
“sign an intersection”
communicate in sign language
“I don't know how to sign, so I could not communicate with my deaf cousin”
make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate

adjective

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