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View synonyms for semaphore
semaphore
[ sem-uh-fawr, -fohr ]
noun
- an apparatus for conveying information by means of visual signals, as a light whose position may be changed.
- any of various devices for signaling by changing the position of a light, flag, etc.
- a system of signaling, especially a system by which a special flag is held in each hand and various positions of the arms indicate specific letters, numbers, etc.
verb (used with or without object)
, sem·a·phored, sem·a·phor·ing.
- to signal by semaphore or by some system of flags.
semaphore
/ ˌsɛməˈfɒrɪk; ˈsɛməˌfɔː /
noun
- an apparatus for conveying information by means of visual signals, as with movable arms or railway signals, flags, etc
- a system of signalling by holding a flag in each hand and moving the arms to designated positions to denote each letter of the alphabet
verb
- to signal (information) by means of semaphore
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Derived Forms
- ˌsemaˈphorically, adverb
- semaphoric, adjective
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Other Words From
- sem·a·phor·ic [sem-, uh, -, fawr, -ik, -, for, -], sema·phori·cal adjective
- sema·phori·cal·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins
Origin of semaphore1
First recorded in 1810–20; from French sémaphore, from Greek sêma “sign”; -phore
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Word History and Origins
Origin of semaphore1
C19: via French, from Greek sēma a signal + -phore
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Example Sentences
A sailor on her deck began to swing his arms in the curious semaphore language of the sea.
From Project Gutenberg
She flung wild arms of a semaphore signalling national events.
From Project Gutenberg
M. Chappe, the inventor of the semaphore, tried about the year 1790 to introduce a synchronous electric telegraph, and failed.
From Project Gutenberg
One instant I saw the banker toss his arms like a semaphore; the next we were overborne.
From Project Gutenberg
"Capital idea—semaphore—clever fellow, Jack," shouted Brand.
From Project Gutenberg
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