/ English Dictionary

SIGN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted

Example:

the highway was lined with signboards

Synonyms:

sign; signboard

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("sign" is a kind of...):

construction; structure (a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sign"):

billboard; hoarding (large outdoor signboard)

sandwich board (signboard consisting of two hinged boards that hang front and back from the shoulders of a walker and are used to display advertisements)

scoreboard (a large board for displaying the score of a contest (and some other information))

shingle (a small signboard outside the office of a lawyer or doctor, e.g.)

Derivation:

sign (place signs, as along a road)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

Example:

they welcomed the signs of spring

Synonyms:

mark; sign

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("sign" is a kind of...):

clew; clue; cue (evidence that helps to solve a problem)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sign"):

token (something serving as a sign of something else)

Derivation:

signify (convey or express a meaning)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

Example:

signals from the boat suddenly stopped

Synonyms:

sign; signal; signaling

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("sign" is a kind of...):

communication (something that is communicated by or to or between people or groups)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sign"):

curfew (a signal (usually a bell) announcing the start of curfew restrictions)

retreat ((military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position)

drumbeat ((military) the beating of a drum as a signal for lowering the flag at sundown)

radiotelegraphic signal; telegraphic signal (a signal transmitted by telegraphy)

whistle; whistling (the act of signalling (e.g., summoning) by whistling or blowing a whistle)

high sign (a silent signal of warning or recognition)

symbol (an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance)

visual signal (a signal that involves visual communication)

indicator (a signal for attracting attention)

electronic signal (a signal generated by electronic means)

radio beacon (a characteristic signal emitted by a transmitter used for navigation)

input; input signal (signal going into an electronic system)

output; output signal (signal that comes out of an electronic system)

recording (a signal that encodes something (e.g., picture or sound) that has been recorded)

number; phone number; telephone number (the number is used in calling a particular telephone)

start; starting signal (a signal to begin (as in a race))

storm signal (a signal announcing the approach of a storm (particularly a storm of marked violence))

beam; radio beam (a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather)

ticktack (system of signalling by hand signs used by bookmakers at racetracks)

time signal (a signal (especially electronic or by radio) indicating the precisely correct time)

dog-ear (a corner of a page turned down to mark your place)

animal communication (communication between animals (of the same species))

alarm; alarum; alert; warning signal (an automatic signal (usually a sound) warning of danger)

distress call; distress signal (an internationally recognized signal sent out by a ship or plane indicating that help is needed)

all clear (a signal (usually a siren) that danger is over)

bugle call (a signal broadcast by the sound of a bugle)

Derivation:

sign (make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate)

sign (communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs)

signify (convey or express a meaning)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A public display of a message

Example:

he posted signs in all the shop windows

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("sign" is a kind of...):

communication (something that is communicated by or to or between people or groups)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sign"):

bill; card; notice; placard; poster; posting (a sign posted in a public place as an advertisement)

street sign (a sign visible from the street)

guidepost; signpost (a post bearing a sign that gives directions or shows the way)

Derivation:

sign (place signs, as along a road)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A character indicating a relation between quantities

Example:

don't forget the minus sign

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("sign" is a kind of...):

mathematical notation (a notation used by mathematicians)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sign"):

radical sign (a sign indicating the extraction of a root)

minus sign (a sign indicating the operation of subtraction)

plus sign (a sign indicating the operation of addition)

equal sign (a sign indicating that the quantities on either side are equal)

Derivation:

signify (denote or connote)

signify (convey or express a meaning)

Sense 6

Meaning:

A gesture that is part of a sign language

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("sign" is a kind of...):

gesture; motion (the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals)

Holonyms ("sign" is a part of...):

sign language; signing (language expressed by visible hand gestures)

Derivation:

sign (communicate in sign language)

sign (communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs)

signify (convey or express a meaning)

Sense 7

Meaning:

A fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified

Example:

The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("sign" is a kind of...):

language unit; linguistic unit (one of the natural units into which linguistic messages can be analyzed)

Domain category:

linguistics (the scientific study of language)

Sense 8

Meaning:

An event that is experienced as indicating important things to come

Example:

it was a sign from God

Synonyms:

augury; foretoken; preindication; sign

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("sign" is a kind of...):

experience (an event as apprehended)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sign"):

war cloud (an ominous sign that war threatens)

omen; portent; presage; prodigy; prognostic; prognostication (a sign of something about to happen)

Sense 9

Meaning:

(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided

Synonyms:

house; mansion; planetary house; sign; sign of the zodiac; star sign

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Hypernyms ("sign" is a kind of...):

part; region (the extended spatial location of something)

Domain category:

astrology; star divination (a pseudoscience claiming divination by the positions of the planets and sun and moon)

Instance hyponyms:

Fish; Pisces; Pisces the Fishes (the twelfth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about February 19 to March 20)

Aquarius; Aquarius the Water Bearer; Water Bearer (the eleventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about January 20 to February 18)

Capricorn; Capricorn the Goat; Goat (the tenth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about December 22 to January 19)

Archer; Sagittarius; Sagittarius the Archer (the ninth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about November 22 to December 21)

Scorpio; Scorpio the Scorpion; Scorpion (the eighth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about October 23 to November 21)

Balance; Libra; Libra the Balance; Libra the Scales (the seventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about September 23 to October 22)

Virgin; Virgo; Virgo the Virgin (the sixth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about August 23 to September 22)

Leo; Leo the Lion; Lion (the fifth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about July 23 to August 22)

Cancer; Cancer the Crab; Crab (the fourth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about June 21 to July 22)

Gemini; Gemini the Twins; Twins (the third sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about May 21 to June 20)

Bull; Taurus; Taurus the Bull (the second sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about April 20 to May 20)

Aries; Aries the Ram; Ram (the first sign of the zodiac which the sun enters at the vernal equinox; the sun is in this sign from about March 21 to April 19)

Holonyms ("sign" is a part of...):

zodiac (a belt-shaped region in the heavens on either side to the ecliptic; divided into 12 constellations or signs for astrological purposes)

Sense 10

Meaning:

Having an indicated pole (as the distinction between positive and negative electric charges)

Example:

charges of opposite sign

Synonyms:

polarity; sign

Classified under:

Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas

Hypernyms ("sign" is a kind of...):

oppositeness; opposition (the relation between opposed entities)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sign"):

negativeness; negativity (the character of the negative electric pole)

positiveness; positivity (the character of the positive electric pole)

Sense 11

Meaning:

(medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease

Example:

there were no signs of asphyxiation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("sign" is a kind of...):

evidence; grounds (your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief)

Domain category:

medical specialty; medicine (the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sign"):

vital sign (sign of life; usually an indicator of a person's general physical condition)

Holonyms ("sign" is a part of...):

disease (an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning)

 II. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Used of the language of the deaf

Synonyms:

gestural; sign; sign-language; signed

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

communicative; communicatory (able or tending to communicate)

 III. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate

Synonyms:

bless; sign

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "sign" is one way to...):

gesticulate; gesture; motion (show, express or direct through movement)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

sign (any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Be engaged by a written agreement

Example:

The soprano signed to sing the new opera

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "sign" is one way to...):

contract; undertake (enter into a contractual arrangement)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "sign"):

endorse; indorse (sign as evidence of legal transfer)

execute (sign in the presence of witnesses)

countersign (add one's signature to after another's to attest authenticity)

initial (mark with one's initials)

autograph; inscribe (mark with one's signature)

ink (append one's signature to)

undersign (sign at the bottom of (a document))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE

Derivation:

signer (someone who signs and is bound by a document)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Communicate in sign language

Example:

I don't know how to sign, so I could not communicate with my deaf cousin

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "sign" is one way to...):

communicate; intercommunicate (transmit thoughts or feelings)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Derivation:

signer (someone who can use sign language to communicate)

sign (a gesture that is part of a sign language)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Mark with one's signature; write one's name (on)

Example:

Please sign here

Synonyms:

sign; subscribe

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "sign" is one way to...):

write (communicate or express by writing)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "sign"):

rubricate (sign with a mark instead of a name)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s PP

Also:

sign away (formally assign ownership of)

sign in (announce one's arrival, e.g. at hotels or airports)

sign over (formally assign ownership of)

Derivation:

signature (your name written in your own handwriting)

signer (someone who signs and is bound by a document)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs

Example:

The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu

Synonyms:

sign; signal; signalise; signalize

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "sign" is one way to...):

communicate; intercommunicate (transmit thoughts or feelings)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "sign"):

wigwag (signal by or as if by a flag or light waved according to a code)

semaphore (send signals by or as if by semaphore)

heliograph (signal by means of a mirror and the using the sun's rays)

flag (communicate or signal with a flag)

whistle (give a signal by whistling)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence examples:

They sign them the information

They sign the information to them

Derivation:

sign (any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message)

sign (a gesture that is part of a sign language)

signer (someone who can use sign language to communicate)

signing (language expressed by visible hand gestures)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Place signs, as along a road

Example:

This road has been signed

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "sign" is one way to...):

lay; place; pose; position; put; set (put into a certain place or abstract location)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

sign (structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted)

sign (a public display of a message)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Engage by written agreement

Example:

They signed two new pitchers for the next season

Synonyms:

contract; sign; sign on; sign up

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "sign" is one way to...):

employ; engage; hire (engage or hire for work)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "sign"):

contract out (assign a job to someone outside one's own business)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

signer (someone who signs and is bound by a document)

Sense 8

Meaning:

Approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation

Example:

Have you signed your contract yet?

Synonyms:

ratify; sign

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "sign" is one way to...):

formalise; formalize; validate (declare or make legally valid)

"Sign" entails doing...:

endorse; indorse (sign as evidence of legal transfer)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

signer (someone who signs and is bound by a document)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Signs and symptoms may appear early or later in life and may be triggered by periods of fasting or illnesses.

(Mitochondrial Trifunctional Protein Deficiency, NCI Thesaurus)

You saw the woman’s face at the sign of danger.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

So long as she remained in this condition, Mr. Barkis gave no sign of life whatever.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

He gave no sign, did not even snarl, but turned and followed after White Fang.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

You shall go free if you sign.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He saw the glance, but he gave no sign, for among the things he had learned was discipline.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Absence of detectable signs or symptoms.

(Absence of Signs or Symptoms, NCI Thesaurus)

Clinical signs usually include tingling or numbness with onset in middle-age.

(Acroparesthesia Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)

Symptoms or signs that begin and worsen quickly; not chronic.

(Acute, NCI Dictionary)

However, she did not develop signs of the disease until her 70s, nearly three decades after her expected age of onset.

(Unique case of disease resistance reveals possible Alzheimer’s treatment, National Institutes of Health)

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