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
[ Syn: mark ]
a fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified; The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary--de Saussure
a character indicating a relation between quantities; don't forget the minus sign'
a public display of a message; he posted signs in all the shop windows'
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message; signals from the boat suddenly stopped
structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted; the highway was lined with signboards
[ Syn: signboard ]
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
[ Syn: sign of the zodiac , star sign , mansion , house , planetary house ]
(medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease; there were no signs of asphyxiation'
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
[ Syn: polarity ]
an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come; he hoped it was an augury; it was a sign from God
[ Syn: augury , foretoken , preindication ]
a gesture that is part of a sign language
sign (n.)
used of the language of the deaf
[ Syn: gestural , signed , sign-language ]
sign (adj.)
mark with ones signature; write ones name (on); She signed the letter and sent it off; Please sign here
[ Syn: subscribe ]
approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation; All parties ratified the peace treaty; Have you signed your contract yet?
[ Syn: ratify ]
be engaged by a written agreement; He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18; The soprano signed to sing the new opera'
engage by written agreement; They signed two new pitchers for the next season
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
place signs, as along a road; sign an intersection; This road has been signed'
communicate in sign language; I don't know how to sign, so I could not communicate with my deaf cousin'
make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate
[ Syn: bless ]