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   sign

   /sʌɪn/

   noun

   • 1. an object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else: "flowers are often given as a sign of affection" Similar indicationsignalsymptomhintpointersuggestionintimationmarkmanifestationdemonstrationtokentestimonyevidenceattestationproofrare:sigil
   • ▪ used to indicate that someone or something is not where they should be or are expected to be: "there was still no sign of her"
   • ▪ an indication of a disease detectable by a medical practitioner even if not apparent to the patient: "clinical signs of liver disease"
   • ▪ a miracle regarded as evidence of supernatural power (chiefly in biblical and literary use): "he observed signs and miracles taking place"
   • ▪ the trail of a wild animal: North American "wolverine sign"
   • 2. a gesture or action used to convey information or an instruction: "she gave him the thumbs-up sign" Similar gesturesignalwavegesticulationcuenodactionmovementmotionbody languagekinesics
   • ▪ an action or reaction that conveys something about someone: "she gave no sign of having seen him"
   • ▪ a gesture used in a system of sign language.
   • ▪ short for sign language
   • ▪ a symbol or word used to represent an operation, instruction, concept, or object in algebra, music, or other subjects: "the integral sign ∫" Similar symbolmarkcipherlettercharacternumeralfiguretypecodehieroglyphsignifierideogramlogogramgraphrunediacriticrepresentationemblemdevicebadgeinsigniaarmscoat of armscrestlogowritinghieroglyphics
   • ▪ a word or gesture given according to prior arrangement as a means of identification; a password.
   • 3. a notice on public display that gives information or instructions in a written or symbolic form: "I didn't see the ‘Stop’ sign" Similar noticesignpostsignboardwarning signroad signtraffic signplacardboardplatepointerarrowmarkerwaymarkindicatorposterbillstickeradvertisementinformal:adadvert
   • 4. each of the twelve equal sections into which the zodiac is divided, named from the constellations formerly situated in each, and associated with successive periods of the year according to the position of the sun on the ecliptic: "a sign of the Zodiac"
   • 5. the positiveness or negativeness of a quantity: "the last four bits hold a pattern to represent the sign of the number"

   verb

   • 1. write one's name on (a letter, card, document, etc.) to identify oneself as the writer or sender: "the card was signed by the whole class" Similar writeinscribepenpencilscribblescrawldash offputaddarchaic:underwrite
   • ▪ authorize (a document or other written or printed material) by attaching a signature: "the two countries signed a non-aggression treaty" Similar endorsevalidatecertifyauthenticateauthorizesanctionlegalizeput into effectenactagree toapproveratifyadoptsay yes togive one's approval torubber-stampinformal:give something the go-aheadgive something the green lightOKgive something the OKgive something the thumbs upOpposite repudiate
   • ▪ write (one's name) for purposes of identification or authorization: "she signed her name in the book" Similar autographendorsewitnessinitialput one's mark oncountersignre-signset one's hand tosubscribearchaic:underwritestylerare:chirographate
   • ▪ engage (someone, typically a sports player or a musician) to work for one by signing a contract with them: "the manager plans to sign a new goalkeeper" Similar recruithireengageemploytake onappointtake into one's employtake into employmentcontractput on the payrollsign on/upenrolenlistdated:take into serviceOpposite dismiss
   • ▪ commit oneself to work by signing a contract: "things haven't changed since I signed in the summer"
   • 2. use gestures to convey information or instructions: "she signed to her husband to leave the room" Similar gesturesignalgive a sign toindicatedirectmotiongesticulatewavebeckonnod
   • ▪ communicate in sign language: "she was learning to sign"
   • ▪ express or perform (something) in sign language: "the Deaf Association Choir signed the hymns"
   • 3. indicate with signposts or other markers: "the footpath is signed by the gate"
   • 4. mark or consecrate with the sign of the cross: archaic "he signed himself with the cross"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French signe (noun), signer (verb), from Latin signum ‘mark, token’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. signable adjective

   Scrabble Points: 5

   • S

     1

   • I

     1

   • G

     2

   • N

     1

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