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insigne

[in-sig-nee] Origin

in·sig·ne

[in-sig-nee]
noun
1.
singular of insignia.
Dictionary.com Unabridged

in·sig·ni·a

[in-sig-nee-uh]
noun, formally a plural of insigne, but usually used as a singular with plural -ni·a or -ni·as.
1.
a badge or distinguishing mark of office or honor: a military insignia.
2.
a distinguishing mark or sign of anything: an insignia of mourning.
Also, insigne.


Origin:
1640–50; < Latin, plural of insigne mark, badge, noun use of neuter of insignis distinguished (by a mark); see in-2, sign


Insignia, originally the plural of Latin insigne, began to be used as a singular in the 18th century, and the plural insignias appeared shortly thereafter. All uses—insignia as a singular or plural and insignias as a plural—are fully standard. The singular insigne still occurs, but insignia is more common.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

insignia
1648, from L. insignia, neut. pl. of insigne "badge, mark," from in- "in" + signum "mark" (see sign).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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