sig·nal

[sig-nl] noun, adjective, verb, sig·naled, sig·nal·ing or ( especially British ) sig·nalled, sig·nal·ling.
noun
1.
anything that serves to indicate, warn, direct, command, or the like, as a light, a gesture, an act, etc.: a traffic signal; a signal to leave.
2.
anything agreed upon or understood as the occasion for concerted action.
3.
an act, event, or the like that causes or incites some action: The unjust execution was the signal for revolt.
4.
a token; indication.
5.
Electronics. an electrical quantity or effect, as current, voltage, or electromagnetic waves, that can be varied in such a way as to convey information.
6.
Cards. a play that reveals to one's partner a wish that he or she continue or discontinue the suit led.
adjective
7.
serving as a signal; used in signaling: a signal flag.
8.
unusual; notable; outstanding: a signal exploit.
00:10
Signal is one of our favorite verbs.
So is kibitz. Does it mean:
chat, to converse
to flee; abscond:
verb (used with object)
9.
to make a signal to.
10.
to communicate or make known by a signal.
verb (used without object)
11.
to make communication by a signal or signals.

Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English (noun) < Medieval Latin signāle, Late Latin, noun use of neuter of signālis of a sign. See sign, -al2, -al1

sig·nal·er; especially British, sig·nal·ler, noun
pre·sig·nal, noun, verb (used with object), pre·sig·naled, pre·sig·nal·ing or ( especially British ) pre·sig·nalled, pre·sig·nal·ing.
re·sig·nal, verb, re·sig·naled, re·sig·nal·ing or ( especially British ) re·sig·nalled, re·sig·nal·ling.
un·sig·naled, adjective
un·sig·nalled, adjective

signal, single.


1, 4. sign. 8. unique, exceptional, remarkable, striking.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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World English Dictionary
signal (ˈsɪɡnəl) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  any sign, gesture, token, etc, that serves to communicate information
2.  anything that acts as an incitement to action: the rise in prices was a signal for rebellion
3.  a.  a variable parameter, such as a current or electromagnetic wave, by which information is conveyed through an electronic circuit, communications system, etc
 b.  the information so conveyed
 c.  (as modifier): signal strength; a signal generator
 
adj
4.  distinguished or conspicuous
5.  used to give or act as a signal
 
vb , -nals, -nalling, -nalled, -nals, -naling, -naled
6.  to communicate (a message, etc) to (a person)
 
[C16: from Old French seignal, from Medieval Latin signāle, from Latin signum sign]
 
'signaller
 
n
 
'signaler
 
n

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

signal
late 14c., from O.Fr. signal, from M.L. signale "a signal," from L.L. signalis (adj.) "used as a signal, pertaining to a sign," from L. signum "signal, sign." The verb is first recorded 1805, from the noun; earlier verb was signalize (1650s).

signal
"remarkable, striking, notable" 1641, from Fr. signalé, pp. of signaler "to distinguish" (see signal (n.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
signal   (sĭg'nəl)  Pronunciation Key 
A fluctuating quantity or impulse whose variations represent information. The amplitude or frequency of voltage, current, electric field strength, light, and sound can be varied as signals representing information.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
FOLDOC
Computing Dictionary

SIGNAL definition

language
A synchronous language by Le Guernic et al of INRIA.
["SIGNAL - A Data Flow-Oriented Language for Signal Processing," P. le Guernic, IEEE Trans Acoustics Speech & Signal Proc, ASSP-34(2):362-1986-04-374].
(1996-12-10)

signal definition

operating system
A predefined message sent between two Unix processes or from the kernel to a process. Signals communicate the occurrence of unexpected external events such as the forced termination of a process by the user. Each signal has a unique number associated with it and each process has a signal handler set for each signal. Signals can be sent using the kill system call.
(1996-12-10)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © Denis Howe 2010 http://foldoc.org
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Example sentences
The duration of melatonin secretion is the signal for the duration of the night.
However, scientists found that getting a clear signal wasn't merely a matter of
  listening in on one electrode.
It was viewed as a signal that the pace of recovery may be slowing.
The birds attract mates by the color intensity of their feathers-a signal of
  their desirability.
Images for signal
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