in·sig·ni·a

[in-sig-nee-uh]
noun formally a plural of, insigne but usually used as a singular with plural, in·sig·ni·a or in·sig·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.
00:10
Insignia is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
Dictionary.com Unabridged

in·sig·ne

[in-sig-nee]
noun
1.
singular of insignia.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
insignia (ɪnˈsɪɡnɪə, ɪnˈsɪɡniː) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n , pl -nias, -nia
1.  a badge or emblem of membership, office, or dignity
2.  a distinguishing sign or mark
 
[C17: from Latin: marks, badges, from insignis distinguished by a mark, prominent, from in-² + signum mark]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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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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Example sentences
He stood and watched as everybody clapped in bewilderment, and a flushed floral insignia rose on his cheeks.
In this custom the high-steward appears, for some reason, to have usurped the insignia of the king.
White taxis with the sentry lock insignia are sanctioned.
It is a neatly done booklet about the rebel movement, including displays of all
  its insignia.
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