signal definition | Dictionary.com

sig⋅nal

[sig-nl]

noun, adjective, verb, -naled, -nal⋅ing or (especially British

) -nalled, -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.

–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; ME (n.) < ML signāle, LL, n. use of neut. of signālis of a sign. See sign, -al ² , -al ¹

Related forms:

sig⋅nal⋅er; especially British sig⋅nal⋅ler, noun

Synonyms:
1, 4. sign. 8. unique, exceptional, remarkable, striking.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To signal

sig·nal (sĭg'nəl)

1. An indicator, such as a gesture or colored light, that serves as a means of communication. See Synonyms at gesture.
2. A message communicated by such means.
Something that incites action: The peace treaty was the signal for celebration.
Electronics An impulse or a fluctuating electric quantity, such as voltage, current, or electric field strength, whose variations represent coded information.
The sound, image, or message transmitted or received in telegraphy, telephony, radio, television, or radar.

adj.  Notably out of the ordinary: a signal feat; a signal event.
v.   sig·naled or sig·nalled, sig·nal·ing or sig·nal·ling, sig·nals

v.   tr.

To make a signal to: I signaled the driver to proceed.
To relate or make known by signals: They have signaled their willingness to negotiate.

v. intr.
To make a signal or signals.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin signāle, from neuter of Late Latin signālis, of a sign, from Latin signum, sign; see sign.]
sig'nal·er, sig'nal·ler n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Signal

Sig"nal\, n. [F., fr. LL. signale, fr. L. signum. See Sign, n.]

1. A sign made for the purpose of giving notice to a person of some occurence, command, or danger; also, a sign, event, or watchword, which has been agreed upon as the occasion of concerted action.

All obeyed The wonted signal and superior voice Of this great potentate. --Milton.

2. A token; an indication; a foreshadowing; a sign.

The weary sun . . . Gives signal of a goodly day to-morrow. --Shak.

There was not the least signal of the calamity to be seen. --De Foc.

Signal

Sig"nal\, a. [From signal, n.: cf. F. signal['e].]

1. Noticeable; distinguished from what is ordinary; eminent; remarkable; memorable; as, a signal exploit; a signal service; a signal act of benevolence.

As signal now in low, dejected state As erst in highest, behold him where he lies. --Milton.

2. Of or pertaining to signals, or the use of signals in conveying information; as, a signal flag or officer.

The signal service, a bureau of the government (in the United States connected with the War Department) organized to collect from the whole country simultaneous raports of local meteorological conditions, upon comparison of which at the central office, predictions concerning the weather are telegraphed to various sections, where they are made known by signals publicly displayed.

Signal station, the place where a signal is displayed; specifically, an observation office of the signal service.

Syn: Eminent; remarkable; memorable; extraordinary; notable; conspicuous.

Signal

Sig"nal\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Signaled or Signalled; p. pr. & vb. n. Signaling or Signalling.]

1. To communicate by signals; as, to signal orders.

2. To notify by a signals; to make a signal or signals to; as, to signal a fleet to anchor. --M. Arnold.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : signal

Spanish: señal,

German: das Signal,

Japanese: 合図

More Translations »

signal (n.)

c.1384, 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 (1654).

signal (adj.)

"remarkable, striking, notable" 1641, from Fr. signalé, pp. of signaler "to distinguish" (see signal (n.)).

signal

To provide information to. For example, an unexpected dividend increase may signal investors that a firm's directors are more optimistic about future profits than previously thought. Likewise, the announcement of a new equity issue may signal investors that directors consider a firm's stock to be fully valued.

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.

SIGNAL 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 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)

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