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sign Definition

sign (sīn)

noun

  1. something that indicates a fact, quality, etc.; indication; token black as a sign of mourning
    1. a gesture or motion that conveys information, gives a command, etc. a nod as a sign of approval
    2. any of the gestures used in sign language
    3. sign language (sense )
  3. a mark or symbol having an accepted and specific meaning, as the sign ¢ for cent(s)
  4. any linguistic unit, as a word, letter, etc., that is the symbol of an idea, function, etc.
  5. a publicly displayed board, placard, etc. bearing information, advertising, a warning, etc.
  6. ☆ anything marking the trail of an animal, as footprints
  7. any visible trace or indication the signs of spring
    1. an act or happening regarded as a manifestation of divine will or power
    2. an omen; portent
  9. sign of the zodiac
  10. Med. an objective indication or symptom of a disease

Etymology: ME signe < OFr < L signum, a mark, token, prob. < base of secare, to cut (see saw): orig. sense prob. “incised mark”

transitive verb

  1. to mark with a sign, esp. with the sign of the cross, as in blessing
  2. to write one's name on, as in acknowledging authorship, authorizing action, etc.
  3. to write (one's name) as a signature
  4. to engage by written contract; sign on
  5. Now Rare to indicate or express by a sign; signal
  6. to communicate (thoughts, ideas, etc.) by using the sign language of the deaf

intransitive verb

  1. to write one's signature, as in attesting or confirming something
  2. to make a sign; signal; also, specif., to use the sign language of the deaf

sign Related Forms
sign′er noun
sign Idioms

sign away

or sign over

to abandon or transfer title to (something) by or as by signing a document; convey

sign in (or out)

to sign a register on arrival (or departure)

sign off

  1. to announce the end of broadcasting, as for the day, and stop transmitting
  2. Slang to stop talking
  3. sign off on (see phrase below)

sign off on

to approve (a plan, statement, etc.) the mayor signed off on the budget figures

sign on

to engage (oneself or others) for employment; hire or be hired, esp. by a signed agreement

sign up

  1. sign on
  2. to enlist, enroll, etc.

under the Sign of

Astrol. during that portion of the year when the sun is passing through and thus subject to the influence of (a specified sign of the zodiac) born under the Sign of Leo

sign Synonyms

sign

n.

  1. A signal

    indication, portent, clue, omen, prognostic, augury, token, presentiment, divination, presage, premonition, handwriting on the wall, foreshadowing, foreboding, foreknowledge, token, manifestation, foretoken, harbinger, herald, hint, symptom, assurance, precursor, prediction, mark, badge, auspice, symbol, caution, warning, beacon, flag, highball, hand signal, wave of the arm, flash, whistle, warning bell, signal bell, signal light, high sign*.

  2. An emblem

    insignia, badge, crest; see emblem.

  3. A symbol

    type, visible sign, token; see symbol.

sign Synonyms

sign

v.

  1. Authorize

    endorse, confirm, acknowledge; see approve 1.

  2. Indicate

    express, signify, signal; see mean 1, signal.

  3. Consecrate

    dignify, hallow, ordain, sign with a cross; see bless 3.

  4. Hire

    engage, contract, employ; see hire 1.

sign Usage Examples

Object

  • petition: Denis said, " Hundreds of residents across the city have already signed the petition.
  • agreement: Partner sites will be asked to sign a formal agreement regarding their participation.
  • contract: We signed the contracts, we should honor them in full!
  • declaration: We support and encourage all members and supporters to sign the declaration of the Campaign for a New Workers ' Party.
  • treaty: Almost 80 years ago Poland signed a friendship treaty with Iran.
  • autograph: He signed some autographs then he signed my bit of paper and I said Thanks.

Converse of object

  • show: The council are showing no signs of backing down, however.
  • warn: Damaged nerve tissue Any of these may be warning signs that eye disease could develop.
  • follow: Follow signs to York Road car park on right hand side.

Preposition: on

  • behalf: Doubtless, he thought he was signing on behalf of his entire party and to a set of uncontroversial sentiments.

Adjective modifier

  • clinical: This organism has been isolated occasionally from young dogs with clinical signs of colitis.
  • visible: God preaches the gospel to us through these visible, tangible signs.

Modifies a noun

  • interpreter: He and his teachers use microphones to amplify sounds and he has his own sign interpreter.
  • language: We provide a Sign Language Club for children who want to keep learning sign language on a regular basis.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • up: Sign up for updates Register for regular updates via our email alerts.

Noun used with modifier

  • warning: There are often no obvious early warning signs of eye problems.
  • minus: Q I used to use the minus sign - to play my blank tile.
  • neon: With the camera approaching the venueâs neon signs, you could see that The Hollies were part of the all star presentations.
  • tell-tale: Tell-tale signs of a chillier environment for journalists are proliferating.
  • telltale: It's the varying of the counter's bets that is the telltale sign that a player is possibly counting cards.
sign Quotes

And it is a good sign that this masquerading knight- errant, this pretended champion of the rights of every other nation except those of the Irish nation, should be obliged to throw off the mask today, and to stand revealed as the man who by his own utterances is prepared to carry fire and sword into your homesteads unless you humbly abase yourselves before him, and before the landlords of the country.

—Parnell, Charles Stewart

In hoc signo vinces. In this sign thou shalt conquer.

—Constantinus

Vous savez qu'on doit se sentir heureux.Tous les vrais e¤  crivains ont e¤  prouve¤   ce sentiment. Quand on ne l'e¤  prouve pas, je suis oblige¤   de vous en avertir, c'est mauvais signe. You know that one should feel happy. All thetrue writers have experienced this feeling.When one does not experience it, I am obliged to tell you that it is a bad sign.

—Sarraute, Nathalie

When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.

—Swift,Jonathan

A conjuring trick with bones only proves that it is as clever as a conjuring trick with bones† A resuscitated corpse might be a resuscitated corpse and might be the sign of something, butthere isstill the questionof what it is the symbol of.

—Jenkins, David Edward

I never give out my zodiac sign. Do you honestly think I can be pushed around by a planet? Good heavens, your divine nature is always free.

—Peace Pilgrim real name Mildred Norman

An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace given unto us.

—Book of Common Prayer

When a manfell into his anecdotage it was a sign for him to retire from the world.

—Disraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield

It was remarked to me by the late Mr Charles Roupell†that to play billiards well was a sign of an ill- spent youth.

—Spencer, Herbert

The unconscious in us warns us that in art we have to followoneparticular path. And if wefollow it, it isnotthe sign of anunconscious act.On the contrary, it showsthat there is in our ordinary consciousness a greater awareness of our unconsciousness.

—Mondrian, Piet

We receive this Child into the Congregation of Christ's flock, and dosign him with thesign of the Cross, in token that hereafter he shall not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under his banner against sin, the world, and the devil, and to continue Christ's faithful soldier and servant unto his life's end. Amen.

—Book of Common Prayer

It is trulya place for self-presentationöof oneself, to oneself. A fitting sign of the self-absorbed 1980s.

—Rybczynski,Witold Marian

If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder† Thou shalt not hearken.

—Bible (Old Testament)

Sweetly they slept On the blue fields of heaven, and then there crept A little noiseless noise among the leaves, Born of the very sign that silence heaves.

—Keats,John