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signing

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
sign  (sn)
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 off
1. 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 on
1. 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.]

signer 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.

signing [ˈsaɪnɪŋ]
n
(Linguistics / Languages) a specific set of manual signs used to communicate with deaf people
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.signingsigning - language expressed by visible hand gestures
language, linguistic communication - a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols; "he taught foreign languages"; "the language introduced is standard throughout the text"; "the speed with which a program can be executed depends on the language in which it is written"
finger spelling, fingerspelling - an alphabet of manual signs
American sign language, ASL - the sign language used in the United States
sign - a gesture that is part of a sign language
Translations
signing [ˈsaɪnɪŋ] N
1. [of letter, contract, treaty etc] → firma f
2. (Sport) → fichaje m
3. (= sign language) → lenguaje m por señas
signing [ˈsaɪnɪŋ] n
[document, letter, treaty] → signature f
[player, group, singer] → recrutement m
Manchester United's signing of goalkeeper Mark Bosnich → le recrutement par le club de Manchester United du gardien de but Mark Bosnich
(= player, group, singer) → nouvelle recrue f
(= sign language) → langue f des signes
sign language n (for deaf people)langage m des signes
signing
n
(of document)Unterzeichnen nt
(of football player, pop star etc)Untervertragnahme f; (= football player, pop star etc)neu unter Vertrag Genommene(r) mf
(= sign language)Gebärdensprache f


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A sound as of the beating of distant drums--a murmur of swarming voices, a sharp, far cry signing all to silence, and Halpin Frayser dreamed that he was dead.
And signing himself with the sign of the cross, he laid his head on the pillow, and falling into a slumber ended his life so in silence.
She still had the pen in her hand, but she made no approach to signing her name with it.
 
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