Nearby Words

signs

[sahyn] Origin

sign

[sahyn]
noun
1.
a token; indication.
2.
any object, action, event, pattern, etc., that conveys a meaning.
3.
a conventional or arbitrary mark, figure, or symbol used as an abbreviation for the word or words it represents.
4.
a motion or gesture used to express or convey an idea, command, decision, etc.: Her nod was a sign that it was time to leave.
5.
a notice, bearing a name, direction, warning, or advertisement, that is displayed or posted for public view: a traffic sign; a store sign.
EXPAND
6.
a trace; vestige: There wasn't a sign of them.
7.
an arbitrary or conventional symbol used in musical notation to indicate tonality, tempo, etc.
8.
Medicine/Medical. the objective indications of a disease.
9.
any meaningful gestural unit belonging to a sign language.
10.
an omen; portent: a sign of approaching decadence.
12.
sign language (def. 1).
13.
Usually, signs. traces, as footprints, of a wild animal.
14.
Mathematics.
a.
a plus sign or minus sign used as a symbol for indicating addition or subtraction.
b.
a plus sign or minus sign used as a symbol for indicating the positive or negative value of a quantity, as an integer.
e.
a symbol, as or !, used to indicate a radical or factorial operation.
COLLAPSE
verb (used with object)
15.
to affix a signature to: to sign a letter.
16.
to write as a signature: to sign one's name.
17.
to engage by written agreement: to sign a new player.
18.
to mark with a sign, especially the sign of the cross.
19.
to communicate by means of a sign; signal: He signed his wish to leave.
EXPAND
20.
to convey (a message) in a sign language.
21.
Obsolete. to direct or appoint by a sign.
COLLAPSE

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Signs is always a great word to know.
So is gobo. Does it mean:
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
verb (used without object)
22.
to write one's signature, as a token of agreement, obligation, receipt, etc.: to sign for a package.
23.
to make a sign or signal: He signed to her to go away.
24.
to employ a sign language for communication.
25.
to obligate oneself by signature: He signed with another team for the next season.
26.
sign away/over, to assign or dispose of by affixing one's signature to a document: She signed over her fortune to the church.
27.
sign in, to record or authorize one's arrival (or departure) by signing a register. Also, sign out.
28.
sign off,
a.
to withdraw, as from some responsibility or connection.
b.
to cease radio or television broadcasting, especially at the end of the day.
c.
Informal. to become silent: He had exhausted conversation topics and signed off.
d.
to indicate one's approval explicitly if not formally: The president is expected to sign off on the new agreement.
29.
sign on,
a.
to employ; hire.
b.
to bind oneself to work, as by signing a contract: He signed on as a pitcher with a major-league team.
c.
to start radio or television broadcasting, especially at the beginning of the day.
d.
Computers. log1 (def. 17a).
30.
sign up, to enlist, as in an organization or group; to register or subscribe: to sign up for the navy; to sign up for class.

Origin:
1175–1225; (noun) Middle English signe < Old French < Latin signum mark, sign, ensign, signal, image; (v.) Middle English signen to mark with a sign, especially the sign of the cross < Old French signer < Latin signāre to mark with a sign, inscribe, affix a seal to, derivative of signum

sign·less, adjective
sign·like, adjective
post·sign, verb (used with object)
un·signed, adjective

sign, sing (see synonym note at the current entry).


1. trace, hint, suggestion. 1, 4. signal. 10. indication, hint, augury. Sign, omen, portent name that which gives evidence of a future event. Sign is a general word for whatever gives evidence of an event—past, present, or future: Dark clouds are a sign of rain or snow. An omen is an augury or warning of things to come; it is used only of the future, in general, as good or bad: birds of evil omen. Portent, limited, like omen, to prophecy of the future, may be used of a specific event, usually a misfortune: portents of war.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To signs
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

sign
c.1300, "to make the sign of the cross," from O.Fr. signer, from L. signare, from signum (see sign (n.)). Sense of "to mark, stamp" is attested from mid-14c.; that of "to affix one's name" is from late 15c. Meaning "to communicate by sign language" is recorded from 1700.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

sign (sīn)
n.

  1. See symptom.

  2. Something that suggests the presence or existence of a fact, condition, or quality.

  3. A trace or vestige, as of disease or life.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
sign   (sīn)  Pronunciation Key 
  1. A body manifestation, usually detected on physical examination or through laboratory tests or xrays, that indicates the presence of abnormality or disease. Compare symptom.

  2. See symbol. See Table at symbol.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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