a symbol, as or !, used to indicate a radical or factorial operation.
–verb (used with object)
15.
to affix a signature to: to sign a letter.
16.
to write as a signature: to sign one's name.
17.
to engage by written agreement: to sign a new player.
18.
to mark with a sign, esp. the sign of the cross.
19.
to communicate by means of a sign; signal: He signed his wish to leave.
20.
to convey (a message) in a sign language.
21.
Obsolete. to direct or appoint by a sign.
–verb (used without object)
22.
to write one's signature, as a token of agreement, obligation, receipt, etc.: to sign for a package.
23.
to make a sign or signal: He signed to her to go away.
24.
to employ a sign language for communication.
25.
to obligate oneself by signature: He signed with another team for the next season.
—Verb phrases
26.
sign away or over, to assign or dispose of by affixing one's signature to a document: She signed over her fortune to the church.
27.
sign in (or out) to record or authorize one's arrival (or departure) by signing a register.
28.
sign off,
a.
to withdraw, as from some responsibility or connection.
b.
to cease radio or television broadcasting, esp. at the end of the day.
c.
Informal. to become silent: He had exhausted conversation topics and signed off.
d.
to indicate one's approval explicitly if not formally: The president is expected to sign off on the new agreement.
29.
sign on,
a.
to employ; hire.
b.
to bind oneself to work, as by signing a contract: He signed on as a pitcher with a major-league team.
c.
to start radio or television broadcasting, esp. at the beginning of the day.
d.
Computers. log1 (def. 17a).
30.
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: 1175–1225; (n.) ME signe < OF < L signum mark, sign, ensign, signal, image; (v.) ME signen to mark with a sign, esp. the sign of the cross < OF signer < L signāre to mark with a sign, inscribe, affix a seal to, deriv. of signum]
—Related forms
signless, adjective
signlike, adjective
—Synonyms 1. trace, hint, suggestion. 1, 4. signal. 10. indication, hint, augury. Sign,omen,portent name that which gives evidence of a future event. Sign is a general word for whatever gives evidence of an event—past, present, or future: Dark clouds are a sign of rain or snow. An omen is an augury or warning of things to come; it is used only of the future, in general, as good or bad: birds of evil omen. Portent, limited, like omen, to prophecy of the future, may be used of a specific event, usually a misfortune: portents of war.
Something that suggests the presence or existence of a fact, condition, or quality.
An act or gesture used to convey an idea, a desire, information, or a command: gave the go-ahead sign.
Sign language.
A displayed structure bearing lettering or symbols, used to identify or advertise a place of business: a motel with a flashing neon sign outside.
A posted notice bearing a designation, direction, or command: an EXIT sign above a door; a traffic sign.
A displayed structure bearing lettering or symbols, used to identify or advertise a place of business: a motel with a flashing neon sign outside.
A posted notice bearing a designation, direction, or command: an EXIT sign above a door; a traffic sign.
A conventional figure or device that stands for a word, phrase, or operation; a symbol, as in mathematics or in musical notation.
pl.sign An indicator, such as a dropping or footprint, of the trail of an animal: looking for deer sign.
A trace or vestige: no sign of life.
A portentous incident or event; a presage: took the eclipse as a sign from God.
A body manifestation that serves to indicate the presence of malfunction or disease.
One of the 12 divisions of the zodiac, each named for a constellation and represented by a symbol.
v.
signed, sign·ing, signs
v.
tr.
To affix one's signature to.
To write (one's signature).
To approve or ratify (a document) by affixing a signature, seal, or other mark: sign a bill into law.
To hire or engage by obtaining a signature on a contract: signed a rookie pitcher for next season; sign up actors for a tour.
To relinquish or transfer title to by signature: signed away all her claims to the estate.
To provide with a sign or signs: sign a new highway.
To communicate with a sign or signs: signed his approval with a nod.
To express (a word or thought, for example) by sign language: signed her reply to the question.
To consecrate with the sign of the cross.
v.
intr.
To make a sign or signs; signal.
To use sign language.
To write one's signature.
Phrasal Verb(s): sign in
To record the arrival of another or oneself by signing a register.
sign off
To announce the end of a communication; conclude.
To stop transmission after identifying the broadcasting station.
Informal To express approval formally or conclusively: got the Congress to sign off on the tax proposal.
sign on
Informal To enlist oneself, especially as an employee: "Retired politicians often sign on with top-dollar law firms"(New York Times).
To start transmission with an identification of the broadcasting station.
sign out
To record the departure of another or oneself by signing a register.
sign up
To agree to be a participant or recipient by signing one's name; enlist: signed up for military service; signing up for a pottery course.
[Middle English signe, from Old French, from Latin signum; see sekw-1 in Indo-European roots.]
sign'er n.
Synonyms: These nouns denote an outward indication of the existence or presence of something not immediately evident. Sign is the most general: "The exile of Gaveston was the sign of the barons' triumph" (John R. Green).
Symbol and emblem often refer to something associated with and standing for, representing, or identifying something else: "There was One whose suffering changed an instrument of torture, degradation and shame, into a symbol of glory, honor, and immortal life" (Harriet Beecher Stowe). "a bed of sweet-scented lillies, the emblem of France" (Amy Steedman).
Badge usually refers to something that is worn as an insignia of membership, is an emblem of achievement, or is a characteristic sign: a sheriff's badge."Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge" (Shakespeare).
Mark can refer to a visible trace or impression (a laundry mark) or to an indication of a distinctive trait or characteristic: Intolerance is the mark of a bigot. Token usually refers to evidence or proof of something intangible: sent flowers as a token of her affection. Symptom suggests outward evidence of a process or condition, especially an adverse condition: bad weather that showed no symptoms of improving anytime soon. Note applies to the sign of a particular quality or feature: "the eternal note of sadness" (Matthew Arnold). See Also Synonyms at gesture.
c.1225, "gesture or motion of the hand," from O.Fr. signe "sign, mark, signature," from L. signum "mark, token, indication, symbol," from PIE base *sekw- "point out" (see see). Meaning "a mark or device having some special importance" is recorded from 1290; that of "a miracle" is from c.1300. Sense of "characteristic device attached to the front of an inn, shop, etc., to distinguish it from others" is first recorded 1467. Ousted native token. In some uses, the word probably is aphetic for ensign. First record of signage is from 1976. Sign language is recorded from 1847.
c.1305, "to make the sign of the cross," from O.Fr. signer, from L. signare, from signum (see sign (n.)). Sense of "to mark, stamp" is attested from c.1350; that of "to affix one's name" is from 1477. Meaning "to communicate by sign language" is recorded from 1700.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened); "he showed signs of strain"; "they welcomed the signs of spring"
2.
a public display of a message; "he posted signs in all the shop windows"
3.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message; "signals from the boat suddenly stopped" [syn: signal]
4.
structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted; "the highway was lined with signboards" [syn: signboard]
5.
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided [syn: sign of the zodiac]
6.
(medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease; "there were no signs of asphyxiation"
7.
having an indicated pole (as the distinction between positive and negative electric charges); "he got the polarity of the battery reversed"; "charges of opposite sign" [syn: polarity]
8.
an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come; "he hoped it was an augury"; "it was a sign from God" [syn: augury]
9.
a gesture that is part of a sign language
10.
a fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified; "The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary"--de Saussure
11.
a character indicating a relation between quantities; "don't forget the minus sign"
verb
1.
mark with one's signature; write one's name (on); "She signed the letter and sent it off"; "Please sign here"
2.
approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation; "All parties ratified the peace treaty"; "Have you signed your contract yet?"
3.
be engaged by a written agreement; "He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18"; "The soprano signed to sing the new opera"
4.
engage by written agreement; "They signed two new pitchers for the next season"
5.
communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs; "He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture"; "The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu"
6.
place signs, as along a road; "sign an intersection"; "This road has been signed"
7.
communicate in sign language; "I don't know how to sign, so I could not communicate with my deaf cousin"
8.
make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate [syn: bless]
a mark used to mean something; a symbol Example: is the sign for addition
Arabic:
علامَه، رَمْز
Chinese (Simplified):
符号
Chinese (Traditional):
符號
Czech:
znak, znaménko
Danish:
tegn; symbol
Dutch:
teken
Estonian:
märk
Finnish:
merkki
French:
signe
German:
das Zeichen
Greek:
σημείο, σύμβολο
Hungarian:
jel
Icelandic:
tákn
Indonesian:
lambang
Italian:
segno
Japanese:
記号
Korean:
부호, 기호
Latvian:
zīme
Lithuanian:
ženklas
Norwegian:
tegn
Polish:
znak
Portuguese (Brazil):
sinal
Portuguese (Portugal):
sinal
Romanian:
simbol
Russian:
знак
Slovak:
znak, znamienko
Slovenian:
znamenje
Spanish:
señal
Swedish:
tecken, symbol
Turkish:
işaret sembol
sign2[sain]noun
a notice set up to give information (a shopkeeper's name, the direction of a town etc) to the public Example: road-sign
Arabic:
إشارَه، لافِتَه
Chinese (Simplified):
标记
Chinese (Traditional):
標記
Czech:
návěstí, reklama
Danish:
skilt; -skilt
Dutch:
bord
Estonian:
silt
Finnish:
kyltti, viitta
French:
panneau
German:
das Schild
Greek:
πινακίδα, οδικό σήμα, επιγραφή, ταμπέλα
Hungarian:
cégtábla; jelzőtábla
Icelandic:
merki
Indonesian:
tanda
Italian:
cartello, segnale; insegna
Japanese:
標識
Korean:
표지, 게시
Latvian:
zīme; izkārtne; rādītājs
Lithuanian:
ženklas, iškaba, rodyklė
Norwegian:
skilt
Polish:
znak, tablica
Portuguese (Brazil):
tabuleta, placa
Portuguese (Portugal):
letreiro
Romanian:
panou; indicator
Russian:
знак; вывеска
Slovak:
tabuľa, značka
Slovenian:
znak
Spanish:
señal, panel, letrero
Swedish:
skylt, märke
Turkish:
işaret, tabelâ
sign3[sain]noun
a movement (eg a nod, wave of the hand) used to mean or represent something Example: He made a sign to me to keep still.
Arabic:
إشارَه، حَرَكَه
Chinese (Simplified):
示意
Chinese (Traditional):
示意
Czech:
znamení
Danish:
tegn
Dutch:
wenk
Estonian:
märguanne
Finnish:
merkki
French:
signe
German:
das Zeichen
Greek:
νεύμα, νόημα
Hungarian:
jel(zés)
Icelandic:
merki
Indonesian:
isyarat
Italian:
segno, segnale
Japanese:
合い図
Korean:
몸짓, 신호
Latvian:
zīme; norādījums; žests
Lithuanian:
ženklas
Norwegian:
tegn, signal
Polish:
znak
Portuguese (Brazil):
sinal
Portuguese (Portugal):
sinal
Romanian:
semn
Russian:
жест, знак
Slovak:
znamenie
Slovenian:
znamenje
Spanish:
gesto, seña
Swedish:
tecken
Turkish:
işaret
sign4[sain]noun
a piece of evidence suggesting that something is present or about to come Example: There were no signs of life at the house and he was afraid they were away; Clouds are often a sign of rain.
Arabic:
بادِرَه، عَلامَه
Chinese (Simplified):
征兆
Chinese (Traditional):
徵兆
Czech:
známka
Danish:
tegn
Dutch:
teken
Estonian:
(tunnus)märk
Finnish:
merkki
French:
signe
German:
das Anzeichen
Greek:
σημάδι, ένδειξη
Hungarian:
jel
Icelandic:
merki (um)
Indonesian:
tanda
Italian:
segno
Japanese:
しるし
Korean:
징후, 징조
Latvian:
pazīme
Lithuanian:
ženklas, požymis
Norwegian:
tegn
Polish:
znak
Portuguese (Brazil):
sinal
Portuguese (Portugal):
sinal
Romanian:
semn
Russian:
признак
Slovak:
(ná)znak
Slovenian:
znamenje
Spanish:
signo
Swedish:
spår, tecken
Turkish:
ipucu, belirten işaret
sign1[sain]verb
to write one's name (on) Example: Sign at the bottom, please.
Arabic:
يُوَقِّع
Chinese (Simplified):
签名
Chinese (Traditional):
簽名
Czech:
podepsat se
Danish:
underskrive
Dutch:
ondertekenen
Estonian:
alla kirjutama
Finnish:
allekirjoittaa
French:
signer
German:
unterschreiben
Greek:
υπογράφω
Hungarian:
szignál
Icelandic:
undirrita
Indonesian:
membuat tanda tangan
Italian:
firmare
Japanese:
署名する
Korean:
서명하다
Latvian:
parakstīties
Lithuanian:
pasirašyti
Norwegian:
underskrive
Polish:
podpisywać (się)
Portuguese (Brazil):
assinar
Portuguese (Portugal):
assinar
Romanian:
a iscăli
Russian:
подписываться
Slovak:
podpísať sa
Slovenian:
podpisati (se)
Spanish:
firmar
Swedish:
signera, underteckna
Turkish:
imzalamak
sign2[sain]verb
to write (one's name) on a letter, document etc Example: He signed his name on the document.
Arabic:
يُوَقِّع على وَثيقَه
Chinese (Simplified):
签字
Chinese (Traditional):
簽字
Czech:
podepsat
Danish:
skrive sit navn
Dutch:
ondertekenen
Estonian:
(oma) nime kirjutama
Finnish:
kirjoittaa nimensä
French:
signer
German:
unterschreiben
Greek:
υπογράφω
Hungarian:
aláír
Icelandic:
undirrita
Indonesian:
menandatangani
Italian:
firmare
Japanese:
署名する
Korean:
…에 서명하다
Latvian:
parakstīt
Lithuanian:
parašyti
Norwegian:
underskrive
Polish:
napisać
Portuguese (Brazil):
assinar
Portuguese (Portugal):
assinar
Romanian:
a semna
Russian:
подписывать
Slovak:
podpísať
Slovenian:
podpisati (se)
Spanish:
firmar
Swedish:
signera, underteckna, skriva
Turkish:
yazmak
sign3[sain]verb
to make a movement of the head, hand etc in order to show one's meaning Example: She signed to me to say nothing.
A body manifestation, usually detected on physical examination or through laboratory tests or xrays, that indicates the presence of abnormality or disease. Compare symptom.
As*sign"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Assigned; p. pr. & vb. n. Assigning.] [OE. assignen, asignen, F. assigner, fr. L. assignare; ad + signare to mark, mark out, designate, signum mark, sign. See Sign.]1. To appoint; to allot; to apportion; to make over. In the order I assign to them. --Loudon. The man who could feel thus was worthy of a better station than that in which his lot had been assigned. --Southey. He assigned to his men their several posts. --Prescott. 2. To fix, specify, select, or designate; to point out authoritatively or exactly; as, to assign a limit; to assign counsel for a prisoner; to assign a day for trial. All as the dwarf the way to her assigned. --Spenser. It is not easy to assign a period more eventful. --De Quincey. 3. (Law) To transfer, or make over to another, esp. to transfer to, and vest in, certain persons, called assignees, for the benefit of creditors. To assign dower, to set out by metes and bounds the widow's share or portion in an estate. --Kent.
Con*sign"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Consigned 3; p. pr. & vb. n. Consigning.] [F. consigner, L. consignare, -signatu,, to seal or sign; con- + signare, fr. signum mark. See Sign.]1. To give, transfer, or deliver, in a formal manner, as if by signing over into the possession of another, or into a different state, with the sense of fixedness in that state, or permanence of possession; as, to consign the body to the grave. At the day of general account, good men are to be consigned over to another state. --Atterbury. 2. To give in charge; to commit; to intrust. Atrides, parting for the Trojan war, Consigned the youthful consort to his care. --Pope. The four evangelists consigned to writing that history. --Addison. 3. (Com.) To send or address (by bill of lading or otherwise) to an agent or correspondent in another place, to be cared for or sold, or for the use of such correspondent; as, to consign a cargo or a ship; to consign goods. 4. To assign; to devote; to set apart. The French commander consigned it to the use for which it was intended by the donor. --Dryden. 5. To stamp or impress; to affect. [Obs.] Consign my spirit with great fear. --Jer. Taylor. Syn: To commit; deliver; intrust; resign. See Commit.
De*sign"\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Designed; p. pr. & vb. n. Designing.] [F. d['e]signer to designate, cf. F. dessiner to draw, dessin drawing, dessein a plan or scheme; all, ultimately, from L. designare to designate; de- + signare to mark, mark out, signum mark, sign. See Sign, and cf. Design, n., Designate.]1. To draw preliminary outline or main features of; to sketch for a pattern or model; to delineate; to trace out; to draw. --Dryden. 2. To mark out and exhibit; to designate; to indicate; to show; to point out; to appoint. We shall see Justice design the victor's chivalry. --Shak. Meet me to-morrow where the master And this fraternity shall design. --Beau. & Fl. 3. To create or produce, as a work of art; to form a plan or scheme of; to form in idea; to invent; to project; to lay out in the mind; as, a man designs an essay, a poem, a statue, or a cathedral. 4. To intend or purpose; -- usually with for before the remote object, but sometimes with to. Ask of politicians the end for which laws were originally designed. --Burke. He was designed to the study of the law. --Dryden. Syn: To sketch; plan; purpose; intend; propose; project; mean.
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Audio Help [sahyn] Pronunciation Key 
or !, used to indicate a radical or factorial operation. 
