semaphore
pronunciation
How to pronounce semaphore in British English:
UK [ˈseməfɔ:(r)]
How to pronounce semaphore in American English:
US [ˈsɛməˌfɔr, -ˌfor]
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- Noun:
- an apparatus for visual signaling with lights or mechanically moving arms
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- Verb:
- send signals by or as if by semaphore
- convey by semaphore, of information
Word Origin
- semaphore (n.)
- "apparatus for signaling," 1816, probably via French sémaphore, literally "a bearer of signals," ultimately from Greek sema "sign, signal" (see semantic) + phoros "bearer," from pherein "to carry" (see infer). Related: Semaphoric (1808).
Example
- 1. A cache semaphore was not held when expected .
- 2. These limitations also lessened the effectiveness of the semaphore , a modern precursor to the electric telegraph .
- 3. It 's not infeasible to interrupt threads that are holding permits beyond the new upper limit , but that 's beyond the scope of a simple semaphore .
- 4. Opens an existing named semaphore .
- 5. Console messages track semaphore use .