sign
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interpreted as a sign of the government's determination to tackle this problem. | The economy is showing signs of improvement/ showing every sign of improvement. | [+(that)] There are signs that the economy is improving. | Her irritable behaviour is a sure sign that she's worried about something. | I looked all over the place, but there was no sign of (=I could not see) him anywhere. | I could see no sign of life in the deserted town. | Signs are (=we expect) that he'll be back this evening. 5 [C] a STAR SIGN, any of the 12 divisions of the year represented by groups of stars: Which sign (of the zodiac) were you born under? -> see Cultural Note at ZODIAC 6 [C] especially bibl a wonderful act of God; MIRACLE 7 [U] AmE infml for SIGN LANGUAGE: Do you know sign? 8 a sign of the times usually derog something that is typical of the (bad) way things are just now: Beer at £2 a pint! Ah well, I suppose it's a sign of the times. 9 the sign of the cross a hand movement down and across the chest in the shape of the CROSS, done e.g. as a sign of respect in front of the ALTAR or to guard oneself against evil (CROSS)
sign² v [I;T] 1 to write (one's name) on (a written paper), especially for official purposes, to show one's agreement, show that one is the writer etc: Sign here, please. | The documents are ready to be signed. | He signed (his name on) the cheque. | Britain has just signed a new trade agreement with Japan. (=has reached an agreement and made it formally complete by signing a paper) 2 especially BrE to start to employ or be employed, especially in football, by signing a contract: The local football team has signed a new goalkeeper; he has signed for/with the local team. | The record companies are looking for new groups to sign. 3 especially AmE to use SIGN LANGUAGE: Is the governor's speech going to be signed? | I can't sign fast enough to keep up with him. 4 sign on the dotted line infml to agree to something quickly and unconditionally -> -er n
sign sthg. <-> away phr v [T] to give up (ownership, a claim, a right etc) formally, especially by signing a paper: She signed away her share in the property.
sign for sthg. phr v [T] to sign one's name to show that one has received (something): Certain kinds of mail have to be signed for when they are delivered.
sign in phr v [I] to record one's name when arriving: Visitors to the club should sign in at the entrance. -> opposite SIGN OUT
sign off phr v [I] 1 (of a radio or television station) to stop broadcasting, especially at the end of the day 2 to end an informal letter, especially with a signature: I'd better sign off now. Love, John.
sign on phr v 1 [I;T(= sign sbdy. <-> on)] to (cause to) join a working force, by signing a paper: He signed on as a sailor. 2 [I] BrE to give notice officially to the government that one has become unemployed, or that one is still unemployed, so that one is allowed to receive BENEFIT: She's been signing on for the last six months.
sign out phr v [I] 1 to record one's name when leaving -> opposite SIGN IN 2 [T] (sign sthg. <-> out) to record the removal or borrowing of: to sign out a book from the library
sign sthg. <-> over phr v [T(to)] to give (one's rights, ownership etc) formally to someone else especially by signing a paper: Grandmother has signed the farm over to my brother.
sign to sbdy. phr v [T] to make a movement as a sign to: [+obj+to-v] I signed to the waiter to bring us the bill.
sign up phr v [I;T(= sign sbdy. <-> up)(for)] to (cause to) sign an agreement to take part in something, or to take a job; ENLIST: There was an attempt to sign up more men for the police force, but not many signed up. | [+to-v] I've signed up to take a course at the local college.
sig·nal¹ /'signəl/ n 1 something intended to warn, command, or give a message, such as a special sound or action: A red lamp is often used as a danger signal. | She made a signal with her arm for a left turn. | (fig) This opinion poll is a clear signal to the President that the voters do not support his foreign policy. -> see also SMOKE SIGNAL 2 [(for)] an action which causes something else to happen: Don't start yet - wait for the signal. | [+to-v] When I look at my watch, it's a signal (for us) to leave. 3 a railway apparatus next to the track, usually of green, yellow, and red lights, to tell train drivers whether they can go ahead or must stop: The train must stop when the signal's (on) red. 4 a sound, image, or message sent by waves, as in radio or television: We live too far from the city to get a strong television signal. | The navy has picked up a radar signal from the missing boat.
signal² v -ll- BrE || -l- AmE 1 [(to, for)] to give a signal: She was signalling wildly, waving her arms. | The general signalled to his officers for the attack to begin. 2 [T] to express, warn, or tell (as if) by a signal or signals: Both sides have signalled their willingness to start negotiations. | [+obj+to-v] The policeman signalled the traffic to move forward slowly. | [+(obj)+ that] The thief signalled (his friend) that the police were coming. 3 [T] to be a clear sign or proof of; MARK: The defeat of 1066 signalled the end of Saxon rule in England.
signal³ adj [A] fml very noticeable; not ordinary; CONSPICUOUS: a signal achievement | the minister's signal failure to deal with this matter. -> -ly adv: The minister has signally failed to deal with this matter.
'signal box BrE || 'signal tower AmE— n a small raised building near a railway from which the signals and POINTS are controlled
sig·nal·ize also -ise BrE /'signəlaɪz/ v [T usually pass.] fml to make noticeable or different; DISTINGUISH: Her work is signalized by great attention to detail.
sig·nal·man /'signəlmən/ n pl. -men /mən/ 1 especially BrE someone who controls railway traffic and signals 2 also signal·er /'signələ/ — a member of the army or navy trained in signalling
sig·na·to·ry /'signətɔrɪl-tɔːri/ n [(to, of)] any of the signers of an agreement, especially among nations: Most western nations are signatories to/of this treaty.
sig·na·ture /'signɪtʃə/ n 1 a person's name written by himself/herself, e.g. at the end of a letter, or on a cheque or official paper as a mark that the document is AUTHENTIC: They returned her cheque because she hadn't put her signature on it. -> compare AUTOGRAPH 2 the act of signing one's name: Will you witness my signature? -> see also KEY SIGNATURE, TIME SIGNATURE
'signature tune n a short piece of music used regularly in broadcasting to begin and end a particular show or as the special mark of a radio station -> compare THEME SONG
sign·board /'sainbɔːdl-bːrd/ n a board with a sign or notice on it especially giving details of a future event or advertising a product
sig·net /'signɪt/ n an object used for printing a small pattern in WAX as an official or private SEAL and often fixed to or part of a finger ring (a signet ring)
sig·nif·i·cance /sɪg'nɪfɪkəns/ n [S;U] rather fml the quality of being significant; importance, meaning, or value: This new discovery of oil is of great significance to the country's economy. | Could you explain to me the significance of this part of the contract? | The peace talks have taken on a new significance now that there has been a change of leadership. -> opposite INSIGNIFICANCE
sig·nif·i·cant /sɪg'nɪfɪkənt/ adj 1 of noticeable importance, effect, or influence: There has been a significant improvement in the company's safety record. | This is one of the most significant studies of the subject. | significant changes in the employment laws | There has been no significant rainfall for weeks. -> opposite INSIGNIFICANT 2 having a special meaning, indirectly expressed: a significant smile | It is significant that the government has not actually denied these rumours. -> -ly adv: The police released him but, significantly, they didn't give him back his passport.
sig,nificant 'other n especially AmE, infml or humor one's husband, wife, or lover; a person that one has a marriage-like relationship with
sig·nif·i·ca·tion /sɪgnɪfɪ'keɪʃən/ n fml or pomp the intended meaning of a word; SENSE
sig·ni·fy /'signɪfaɪ/ v 1 [T] fml to be a sign of; represent; mean; DENOTE: What does this strange mark signify? | His latest speech may signify a shift in his foreign policy. | [+that] A fever usually signifies that there is something wrong with the body. 2 [I;T] fml to make known (especially an opinion) by an action: Will those in favour of the suggestion please signify (their agreement) by raising their hands? 3 [I;T usually in questions and negatives] to matter; have importance (for): What does it signify if you're rich or poor, as long as you're happy? | Never mind that mistake; it doesn't signify.