sign

1. A perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened) (synset 106659006)
   "he showed signs of strain"; "they welcomed the signs of spring"
   is a type of: clew, clue, cue - evidence that helps to solve a problem
   subtypes: token - something serving as a sign of something else
   same as: mark
2. A public display of a message (synset 106806088)
   "he posted signs in all the shop windows"
   is a type of: communication - something that is communicated by or to or between people or groups
   subtypes:

   • bill, card, notice, placard, poster, posting - a sign posted in a public place as an advertisement
   • street sign - a sign visible from the street
   • guidepost, signpost - a post bearing a sign that gives directions or shows the way
3. Any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message (synset 106804229)
   "signals from the boat suddenly stopped"
   is a type of: communication - something that is communicated by or to or between people or groups
   subtypes:

   • recording - a signal that encodes something (e.g., picture or sound) that has been recorded
   • number, phone number, telephone number - the number is used in calling a particular telephone
   • start, starting signal - a signal to begin (as in a race)
   • storm signal - a signal announcing the approach of a storm (particularly a storm of marked violence)
   • beam, radio beam - a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
   • ticktack - system of signalling by hand signs used by bookmakers at racetracks
   • time signal - a signal (especially electronic or by radio) indicating the precisely correct time
   • dog-ear - a corner of a page turned down to mark your place
   • animal communication - communication between animals (of the same species)
   • alarm, alarum, alert, warning signal - an automatic signal (usually a sound) warning of danger
   • distress call, distress signal - an internationally recognized signal sent out by a ship or plane indicating that help is needed
   • all clear - a signal (usually a siren) that danger is over
   • bugle call - a signal broadcast by the sound of a bugle
   • curfew - a signal (usually a bell) announcing the start of curfew restrictions
   • retreat - (military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position
   • drumbeat - (military) the beating of a drum as a signal for lowering the flag at sundown
   • radiotelegraphic signal, telegraphic signal - a signal transmitted by telegraphy
   • whistle, whistling - the act of signalling (e.g., summoning) by whistling or blowing a whistle
   • high sign - a silent signal of warning or recognition
   • symbol - an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance
   • visual signal - a signal that involves visual communication
   • indicator - a signal for attracting attention
   • electronic signal - a signal generated by electronic means
   • radio beacon - a characteristic signal emitted by a transmitter used for navigation
   • input, input signal - signal going into an electronic system
   • output, output signal - signal that comes out of an electronic system
   same as: signal, signaling
4. Structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted (synset 104224949)
   "the highway was lined with signboards"
   is a type of: construction, structure - a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
   subtypes:

   • billboard, hoarding - large outdoor signboard
   • sandwich board - signboard consisting of two hinged boards that hang front and back from the shoulders of a walker and are used to display advertisements
   • scoreboard - a large board for displaying the score of a contest (and some other information)
   • shingle - a small signboard outside the office of a lawyer or doctor, e.g.
   same as: signboard
5. (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided (synset 108703415)
   referred to in: astrology, star divination - a pseudoscience claiming divination by the positions of the planets and sun and moon
   is a type of: part, region - the extended spatial location of something
   specific instances:

   • aries, aries the ram, ram - the first sign of the zodiac which the sun enters at the vernal equinox; the sun is in this sign from about March 21 to April 19
   • bull, taurus, taurus the bull - the second sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about April 20 to May 20
   • gemini, gemini the twins, twins - the third sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about May 21 to June 20
   • cancer, cancer the crab, crab - the fourth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about June 21 to July 22
   • leo, leo the lion, lion - the fifth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about July 23 to August 22
   • virgin, virgo, virgo the virgin - the sixth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about August 23 to September 22
   • balance, libra, libra the balance, libra the scales - the seventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about September 23 to October 22
   • scorpio, scorpio the scorpion, scorpion - the eighth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about October 23 to November 21
   • archer, sagittarius, sagittarius the archer - the ninth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about November 22 to December 21
   • capricorn, capricorn the goat, goat - the tenth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about December 22 to January 19
   • aquarius, aquarius the water bearer, water bearer - the eleventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about January 20 to February 18
   • fish, pisces, pisces the fishes - the twelfth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about February 19 to March 20
   is a part of: zodiac - a belt-shaped region in the heavens on either side to the ecliptic; divided into 12 constellations or signs for astrological purposes
   same as: house, mansion, planetary house, sign of the zodiac, star sign
6. (medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease (synset 114325305)
   "there were no signs of asphyxiation"
   referred to in: medical specialty, medicine - the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques
   is a type of: evidence, grounds - your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
   subtypes: vital sign - sign of life; usually an indicator of a person's general physical condition
   is a part of: disease - an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning
7. Having an indicated pole (as the distinction between positive and negative electric charges) (synset 113878771)
   "he got the polarity of the battery reversed"; "charges of opposite sign"
   is a type of: oppositeness, opposition - the relation between opposed entities
   subtypes:

   • positiveness, positivity - the character of the positive electric pole
   • negativeness, negativity - the character of the negative electric pole
   same as: polarity
8. An event that is experienced as indicating important things to come (synset 107300719)
   "he hoped it was an augury"; "it was a sign from God"
   is a type of: experience - an event as apprehended
   subtypes:

   • war cloud - an ominous sign that war threatens
   • omen, portent, presage, prodigy, prognostic, prognostication - a sign of something about to happen
   same as: augury, foretoken, preindication
9. A gesture that is part of a sign language (synset 106889194)
   is a type of: gesture, motion - the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
   is a part of: sign language, signing - language expressed by visible hand gestures
10. A fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified (synset 107290723)
    "The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary"
    referred to in: linguistics - the scientific study of language
    is a type of: language unit, linguistic unit - one of the natural units into which linguistic messages can be analyzed
11. A character indicating a relation between quantities (synset 106824483)
    "don't forget the minus sign"
    is a type of: mathematical notation - a notation used by mathematicians
    subtypes:

    • equal sign - a sign indicating that the quantities on either side are equal
    • plus sign - a sign indicating the operation of addition
    • minus sign - a sign indicating the operation of subtraction
    • radical sign - a sign indicating the extraction of a root

1. Used of the language of the deaf (synset 300500206)
   similar to: communicative, communicatory - able or tending to communicate
   same as: gestural, sign-language, signed

1. Mark with one's signature;
   Write one's name (on) (synset 200998530)
   "She signed the letter and sent it off"; "Please sign here"
   is a type of: write - communicate or express by writing
   subtypes: rubricate - sign with a mark instead of a name
   same as: subscribe
2. Approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation (synset 202470289)
   "All parties ratified the peace treaty"; "Have you signed your contract yet?"
   entail: endorse, indorse - sign as evidence of legal transfer
   is a type of: formalise, formalize, validate - declare or make legally valid
   same as: ratify
3. Be engaged by a written agreement (synset 200890750)
   "He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18"; "The soprano signed to sing the new opera"
   is a type of: contract, undertake - enter into a contractual arrangement
   subtypes:

   • undersign - sign at the bottom of (a document)
   • ink - append one's signature to
   • autograph, inscribe - mark with one's signature
   • initial - mark with one's initials
   • countersign - add one's signature to after another's to attest authenticity
   • execute - sign in the presence of witnesses
   • endorse, indorse - sign as evidence of legal transfer
4. Engage by written agreement (synset 202415071)
   "They signed two new pitchers for the next season"
   is a type of: employ, engage, hire - engage or hire for work
   subtypes: contract out - assign a job to someone outside one's own business
   same as: contract, sign on, sign up
5. Communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs (synset 201041202)
   "He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture"; "The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu"
   is a type of: communicate, intercommunicate - transmit thoughts or feelings
   subtypes:

   • wigwag - signal by or as if by a flag or light waved according to a code
   • semaphore - send signals by or as if by semaphore
   • heliograph - signal by means of a mirror and the using the sun's rays
   • flag - communicate or signal with a flag
   • whistle - give a signal by whistling
   same as: signal, signalise, signalize
6. Place signs, as along a road (synset 201500958)
   "sign an intersection"; "This road has been signed"
   is a type of: lay, place, pose, position, put, set - put into a certain place or abstract location
7. Communicate in sign language (synset 200931122)
   "I don't know how to sign, so I could not communicate with my deaf cousin"
   is a type of: communicate, intercommunicate - transmit thoughts or feelings
8. Make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection;
   Consecrate (synset 200868895)
   is a type of: gesticulate, gesture, motion - show, express or direct through movement
   same as: bless

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