signal
pronunciation
How to pronounce signal in British English:
UK [ˈsɪɡnəl]
How to pronounce signal in American English:
US [ˈsɪɡnəl]
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- Noun:
- any communication that encodes a message
- any incitement to action
- an electric quantity (voltage or current or field strength) whose modulation represents coded information about the source from which it comes
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- Verb:
- communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs
- be a signal for or a symptom of
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- Adjective:
- notably out of the ordinary
Word Origin
- signal
- signal: [16] Latin signālis meant ‘of a sign’ (it was derived from signum ‘mark, token’, source of English sign). It came to be used as a noun, and passed via medieval Latin signāle into Old French as seignal. This was later relatinized into signal, in which form it was taken over by English. The adjective signal ‘conspicuous’ came from the same ultimate source, but via a more circuitous route. The Italian version of the noun signal is segnale. From it was derived the verb segnalare ‘make famous’, whose past participle segnalato gave French signalé – whence English signal.=> sign
- signal (n.)
- late 14c., "visible sign, indication," from Old French signal, seignal "seal, imprint, sign, mark," from Medieval Latin signale "a signal," from Late Latin signalis (adj.) "used as a signal, pertaining to a sign," from Latin signum "signal, sign" (see sign (n.)). Restricted sense "agreed-upon sign (to commence or desist, etc.) is from 1590s. Meaning "modulation of an electric current" is from 1855.
- signal (v.)
- 1805, "to make signals to," from signal (n.). Related: Signaled; signaling. Earlier verb was signalize (1650s).
- signal (adj.)
- "remarkable, striking, notable" ("serving as a sign"), 1640s, from French signalé, past participle of signaler "to distinguish, signal" (see signal (n.)).
Synonym
seamark flag warning light rocket marker foghorn alarm pilot notice toot landmark sign milestone horn caution bell guidepost flare whistle milepost beacon siren alert indicator semaphore monitor
horn put a one's light shine flare ring honk alert rocket on alarm flashers up bell flash send beacon warn
express a semaphore go-ahead thumbs-up send communicate the off warn indicate alert transmit flag wigwag speak shoot give flase convey
Example
- 1. That signal may prompt greater wariness from neighbors .
- 2. Red appears to signal rank in virtually all cultures .
- 3. This use of language to signal presence is important .
- 4. The signal from the largest tends to overwhelm the others .
- 5. Early settlers blew blasts to signal that a sinking ship had been spotted offshore , and native-born islanders are commonly called conchs .