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Book Glossary

sign

Dictionary definition · sign

noun

  1. a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)"he showed signs of strain"
  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"
  4. structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted"the highway was lined with signboards"
  5. (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
  6. (medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease"there were no signs of asphyxiation"

verb

  1. mark with one's signature; write one's name (on)"She signed the letter and sent it off"
  2. approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation"All parties ratified the peace treaty"
  3. be engaged by a written agreement"He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18"
  4. engage by written agreement"They signed two new pitchers for the next season"
  5. communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs"He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture"

adjective

  1. used of the language of the deaf

Similar words

gesturalsign-languagesignedmarksubscriberatifysignalsignalingsignallingsignboard

Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).