sign (s n)n.1. Something that suggests the presence or existence of a fact, condition, or quality. 2. a. An act or gesture used to convey an idea, a desire, information, or a command: gave the go-ahead sign. b. Sign language. 3. a. A displayed structure bearing lettering or symbols, used to identify or advertise a place of business: a motel with a flashing neon sign outside. b. A posted notice bearing a designation, direction, or command: an EXIT sign above a door; a traffic sign. 4. A conventional figure or device that stands for a word, phrase, or operation; a symbol, as in mathematics or in musical notation. 5. pl. sign An indicator, such as a dropping or footprint, of the trail of an animal: looking for deer sign. 6. A trace or vestige: no sign of life. 7. A portentous incident or event; a presage: took the eclipse as a sign from God. 8. A body manifestation that serves to indicate the presence of malfunction or disease. 9. One of the 12 divisions of the zodiac, each named for a constellation and represented by a symbol. v. signed, sign·ing, signs v.tr.1. To affix one's signature to. 2. To write (one's signature). 3. To approve or ratify (a document) by affixing a signature, seal, or other mark: sign a bill into law. 4. To hire or engage by obtaining a signature on a contract: signed a rookie pitcher for next season; sign up actors for a tour. 5. To relinquish or transfer title to by signature: signed away all her claims to the estate. 6. To provide with a sign or signs: sign a new highway. 7. To communicate with a sign or signs: signed his approval with a nod. 8. To express (a word or thought, for example) by sign language: signed her reply to the question. 9. To consecrate with the sign of the cross. v.intr.1. To make a sign or signs; signal. 2. To use sign language. 3. To write one's signature. Phrasal Verbs: sign in To record the arrival of another or oneself by signing a register. sign off1. To announce the end of a communication; conclude. 2. To stop transmission after identifying the broadcasting station. 3. Informal To express approval formally or conclusively: got the Congress to sign off on the tax proposal. sign on1. Informal To enlist oneself, especially as an employee: "Retired politicians often sign on with top-dollar law firms" New York Times. 2. To start transmission with an identification of the broadcasting station. sign out To record the departure of another or oneself by signing a register. sign up To agree to be a participant or recipient by signing one's name; enlist: signed up for military service; signing up for a pottery course.
[Middle English signe, from Old French, from Latin signum; see sekw-1 in Indo-European roots.]
sign er n. Synonyms: sign, symbol, emblem, badge, mark1, token, symptom, note These nouns denote an outward indication of the existence or presence of something not immediately evident. Sign is the most general: "The exile of Gaveston was the sign of the barons' triumph" John R. Green. Symbol and emblem often refer to something associated with and standing for, representing, or identifying something else: "There was One whose suffering changed an instrument of torture, degradation and shame, into a symbol of glory, honor, and immortal life" Harriet Beecher Stowe. "a bed of sweet-scented lillies, the emblem of France" Amy Steedman. Badge usually refers to something that is worn as an insignia of membership, is an emblem of achievement, or is a characteristic sign: a sheriff's badge. "Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge" Shakespeare. Mark can refer to a visible trace or impression ( a laundry mark) or to an indication of a distinctive trait or characteristic: Intolerance is the mark of a bigot. Token usually refers to evidence or proof of something intangible: sent flowers as a token of her affection. Symptom suggests outward evidence of a process or condition, especially an adverse condition: bad weather that showed no symptoms of improving anytime soon. Note applies to the sign of a particular quality or feature: "the eternal note of sadness" Matthew Arnold. See Also Synonyms at gesture. |
sign Noun 1. something that indicates a fact or condition that is not immediately or outwardly observable: a sign of tension 2. a gesture, mark, or symbol intended to convey an idea or information 3. a board or placard displayed in public and intended to advertise, inform, or warn 4. a conventional mark or symbol that has a specific meaning, for example £ for pounds 5. Maths a. any symbol used to indicate an operation: a minus sign b. a symbol used to indicate whether a number or expression is positive or negative 6. a visible indication: no sign of the enemy 7. an omen 8. Med any evidence of the presence of a disease or disorder Verb 1. to write (one's name) on (a document or letter) to show its authenticity or one's agreement 2. to communicate using sign language 3. to make a sign to someone so as to convey an idea or information 4. to engage or be engaged by signing a contract: he signed for another team
sign (sn)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. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | sign - a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened); "he showed signs of strain"; "they welcomed the signs of spring"clew, clue, cue - evidence that helps to solve a problem token - something serving as a sign of something else | | 2. | sign - a public display of a message; "he posted signs in all the shop windows"communication - something that is communicated by or to or between people or groups | | 3. |  sign - any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message; "signals from the boat suddenly stopped"communication - something that is communicated by or to or between people or groups recording - a signal that encodes something (e.g., picture or sound) that has been recorded starting signal, start - a signal to begin (as in a race); "the starting signal was a green light"; "the runners awaited the start" 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 all clear - a signal (usually a siren) that danger is over bugle call - a signal broadcast by the sound of a bugle 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 whistle, whistling - the act of signalling (e.g., summoning) by whistling or blowing a whistle; "the whistle signalled the end of the game" high sign - a silent signal of warning or recognition; "she started to speak but he gave her the high sign" symbol - an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance indicator - a signal for attracting attention radio beacon - a characteristic signal emitted by a transmitter used for navigation | | 4. | sign - structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted; "the highway was lined with signboards"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. structure, construction - a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts; "the structure consisted of a series of arches"; "she wore her hair in an amazing construction of whirls and ribbons" | | 5. | sign - (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is dividedregion, part - the extended spatial location of something; "the farming regions of France"; "religions in all parts of the world"; "regions of outer space" zodiac - a belt-shaped region in the heavens on either side to the ecliptic; divided into 12 constellations or signs for astrological purposes | | 6. | sign - (medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease; "there were no signs of asphyxiation"evidence, grounds - your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief; "the evidence that smoking causes lung cancer is very compelling" disease - an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning vital sign - sign of life; usually an indicator of a person's general physical condition; "he was still alive but his vital signs were weak" | | 7. | sign - having an indicated pole (as the distinction between positive and negative electric charges); "he got the polarity of the battery reversed"; "charges of opposite sign" | | 8. | sign - an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come; "he hoped it was an augury"; "it was a sign from God"experience - an event as apprehended; "a surprising experience"; "that painful experience certainly got our attention" war cloud - an ominous sign that war threatens | | 9. | sign - a gesture that is part of a sign languagemotion, gesture - the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals | | 10. | sign - a fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified; "The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary"--de Saussure | | 11. | sign - a character indicating a relation between quantities; "don't forget the minus sign"equal sign - a sign indicating that the quantities on either side are equal plus sign - a sign indicating the operation of addition minus sign - a sign indicating the operation of subtraction | | Verb | 1. | sign - mark with one's signature; write one's name (on); "She signed the letter and sent it off"; "Please sign here"write - communicate or express by writing; "Please write to me every week" rubricate - sign with a mark instead of a name | | 2. | sign - approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation; "All parties ratified the peace treaty"; "Have you signed your contract yet?" | | 3. | sign - be engaged by a written agreement; "He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18"; "The soprano signed to sing the new opera"undersign - sign at the bottom of (a document) ink - append one's signature to; "They inked the contract" countersign - add one's signature to after another's to attest authenticity; "You must countersign on this line of the contract" execute - sign in the presence of witnesses; "The President executed the treaty" endorse, indorse - sign as evidence of legal transfer; "endorse cheques" | | 4. | sign - engage by written agreement; "They signed two new pitchers for the next season"hire, employ, engage - engage or hire for work; "They hired two new secretaries in the department"; "How many people has she employed?" contract out - assign a job to someone outside one's own business | | 5. | sign - communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs; "He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture"; "The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu"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; "She whistled for her maid" | | 6. | sign - place signs, as along a road; "sign an intersection"; "This road has been signed"lay, place, put, set, position, pose - put into a certain place or abstract location; "Put your things here"; "Set the tray down"; "Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children"; "Place emphasis on a certain point" | | 7. | sign - communicate in sign language; "I don't know how to sign, so I could not communicate with my deaf cousin" | | 8. | sign - make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate | | Adj. | 1. | sign - used of the language of the deafcommunicatory, communicative - able or tending to communicate; "was a communicative person and quickly told all she knew"- W.M.Thackeray |
sign noun 1. symbol, mark, character, figure, device, representation, logo, badge, emblem, ensign, cipher noun 5. indication, evidence, trace, mark, note, signal, suggestion, symptom, hint, proof, gesture, clue, token, manifestation, giveaway, vestige, spoor  Translations sign [saɪn] n ( with hand) → señal f; seña (= trace); huella, rastro (= notice); letrero; as a sign of → en señal de; it's a good/bad sign → es buena/mala señal; sign away vt [+ rights etc] → ceder sign on vi (MIL) → alistarse; to sign on for a course → matricularse en un cursosign up vi (MIL) → alistarse
 sign [saɪn] n ( gen) → signe m; as a sign of → en signe de;
 sign [saɪn] n → Zeichen nt; sign out sign vi ( from hotel etc) → sich (aus dem Hotelgästebuch etc) austragen
 sign [saɪn] n → segno; as a sign of → in segno di; sign away vt [+ rights etc] → cedere (con una firma) sign off vi ( RADIO, TV) → chiudere le trasmissioni sign on vi (MIL etc ) (enlist) → arruolarsi; ( as unemployed) → iscriversi sulla lista (dell'ufficio di collocamento) (= begin work); prendere servizio (= enrol): to sign on for a course → iscriversi a un corsovi → arruolarsi
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setting-sun sign
