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 sign sign /ˈsaɪn/

adjective

  1. Used of the language of the deaf  ( gestural , sign , sign-language , signed )
    used of the language of the deaf

noun

  1. () A perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)  ( mark , sign )
    a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
     He showed signs of strain
    he showed signs of strain
     They welcomed the signs of spring
    they welcomed the signs of spring
  2. () A public display of a message  ( sign )
    a public display of a message
     He posted signs in all the shop windows
    he posted signs in all the shop windows
  3. () Any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message  ( signaling [ N. American] , sign , signal )
    any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
     Signals from the boat suddenly stopped
    signals from the boat suddenly stopped
  4. () Structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted  ( signboard , sign )
    structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted
     The highway was lined with signboards
    the highway was lined with signboards
  5. () (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided  ( house , mansion , planetary house , sign , sign of the zodiac , star sign )
    (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
     In astrology, Leo is a sign known for its bold and charismatic nature.
    In astrology, Leo is a sign known for its bold and charismatic nature.
  6. () A gesture that is part of a sign language  ( sign )
    a gesture that is part of a sign language
  7. () An event that is experienced as indicating important things to come  ( augury , foretoken , preindication , sign )
    an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come
     He hoped it was an augury
    he hoped it was an augury
     It was a sign from God
    it was a sign from God
  8. () Having an indicated pole (as the distinction between positive and negative electric charges)  ( polarity , sign )
    having an indicated pole (as the distinction between positive and negative electric charges)
     He got the polarity of the battery reversed
    he got the polarity of the battery reversed
     Charges of opposite sign
    charges of opposite sign
  9. () (medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease  ( sign )
    (medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease
     There were no signs of asphyxiation
    there were no signs of asphyxiation
  10. A character indicating a relation between quantities  ( sign )
    a character indicating a relation between quantities
     Don't forget the minus sign
    don't forget the minus sign
  11. (linguistics) a fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified  ( sign )
    (linguistics) a fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified
     The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary
    The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary

verb

  1. () Mark with one's signature; write one's name (on)  ( subscribe , sign )
    mark with one's signature; write one's name (on)
     She signed the letter and sent it off
    She signed the letter and sent it off
     Please sign here
    Please sign here
  2. () Approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation  ( ratify , sign )
    approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation
     All parties ratified the peace treaty
    All parties ratified the peace treaty
     Have you signed your contract yet?
    Have you signed your contract yet?
  3. () Be engaged by a written agreement  ( sign )
    be engaged by a written agreement
     He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18
    He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18
     The soprano signed to sing the new opera
    The soprano signed to sing the new opera
  4. () Engage by written agreement  ( sign on , sign , sign up , contract )
    engage by written agreement
     They signed two new pitchers for the next season
    They signed two new pitchers for the next season
  5. () Communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs  ( signalise [British] , signalize , sign , signal )
    communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs
     He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture
    He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture
     The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu
    The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu
  6. Make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate  ( sign , bless )
    make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate
  7. Communicate in sign language  ( sign )
    communicate in sign language
     I don't know how to sign, so I could not communicate with my deaf cousin
    I don't know how to sign, so I could not communicate with my deaf cousin
  8. Place signs, as along a road  ( sign )
    place signs, as along a road
     Sign an intersection
    sign an intersection
     This road has been signed
    This road has been signed