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signal

 - 8 dictionary results

sig⋅nal

  [sig-nl] noun, adjective, verb, -naled, -nal⋅ing or (especially British) -nalled, -nal⋅ling.
Use signal in a Sentence
–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.
Cite This Source Link To signal
sig·nal   (sĭg'nəl)   
n.  

    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.

  2. Something that incites action: The peace treaty was the signal for celebration.

  3. Electronics An impulse or a fluctuating electric quantity, such as voltage, current, or electric field strength, whose variations represent coded information.

  4. 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.

  1. To make a signal to: I signaled the driver to proceed.

  2. 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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Word Origin & History

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.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Financial Dictionary

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.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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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.
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Computing Dictionary

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)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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