Sign - Definition

adj 1: used of the language of the deaf [syn: gestural,
sign(a), signed, sign-language(a)]
n 1: 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: sign, mark]
2: a public display of a message; "he posted signs in all the
shop windows"
3: any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message;
"signals from the boat suddenly stopped" [syn: signal,
signaling, sign]
4: structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be
posted; "the highway was lined with signboards" [syn:
signboard, sign]
5: (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is
divided [syn: sign of the zodiac, star sign, sign,
mansion, house, planetary house]
6: (medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a
disorder or disease; "there were no signs of asphyxiation"
7: 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, sign]
8: 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, sign, foretoken, preindication]
9: a gesture that is part of a sign language
10: a fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that
which is signified; "The bond between the signifier and the
signified is arbitrary"--de Saussure
11: a character indicating a relation between quantities; "don't
forget the minus sign"
v 1: mark with one's signature; write one's name (on); "She
signed the letter and sent it off"; "Please sign here"
[syn: sign, subscribe]
2: approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation;
"All parties ratified the peace treaty"; "Have you signed
your contract yet?" [syn: sign, ratify]
3: be engaged by a written agreement; "He signed to play the
casino on Dec. 18"; "The soprano signed to sing the new
opera"
4: engage by written agreement; "They signed two new pitchers
for the next season" [syn: sign, contract, sign on,
sign up]
5: 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" [syn:
sign, signal, signalize, signalise]
6: place signs, as along a road; "sign an intersection"; "This
road has been signed"
7: communicate in sign language; "I don't know how to sign, so I
could not communicate with my deaf cousin"
8: make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on
God for protection; consecrate [syn: bless, sign]