semaphore

(semə fôr′)

noun

  1. any apparatus for signaling, as the arrangement of lights, flags, and mechanical arms on railroads
  2. a system of signaling by the use of two flags, one held in each hand: the letters of the alphabet are represented by the various positions of the arms
  3. any system of signaling by semaphore

Origin: Fr sémaphore < Gr sēma, sign (see semantic) + -phoros: see -phore

transitive verb, intransitive verb semaphored, semaphoring

to signal by semaphore

Related Forms:

See semaphore in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A visual signaling apparatus with flags, lights, or mechanically moving arms, as one used on a railroad.
  2. A visual system for sending information by means of two flags that are held one in each hand, using an alphabetic code based on the position of the signaler's arms.
tr. & intr.v. sem·a·phored, sem·a·phor·ing, sem·a·phores
To send (a message) or to signal by semaphore.

Origin:

Origin: Greek sēma, sign

Origin: + -phore

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Related Forms:

  • semˌa·phorˈic adjective
  • semˌa·phorˈi·cal·ly adverb

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