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English Idioms :: sign
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sign - See: HIGH SIGN, INDIAN SIGN, ROAD SIGN. |
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Traditional English :: sign
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sign - n. & v. --n. 1 a a thing indicating or suggesting a quality or state etc.; a thing perceived as indicating a future state or occurrence (violence is a sign of weakness; shows all the signs of decay). b a miracle evidencing supernatural power; a portent (did signs and wonders).
2 a a mark, symbol, or device used to represent something or to distinguish the thing on which it is put (marked the jar with a sign). b a technical symbol used in algebra, music, etc. (a minus sign; a repeat sign).
3 a gesture or action used to convey information, an order, request, etc. (gave him a sign to leave; conversed by signs).
4 a publicly displayed board etc. giving information; a signboard or signpost.
5 any objective evidence of a disease, usu. specified (Babinski's sign).
6 a password (advanced and gave the sign).
7 any of the twelve divisions of the zodiac, named from the constellations formerly situated in them (the sign of Cancer).
8 US the trail of a wild animal.
9 Math. etc. the positiveness or negativeness of a quantity. --v. 1 tr. a (also absol.) write (one's name, initials, etc.) on a document etc. indicating that one has authorized it. b write one's name etc. on (a document) as authorization.
2 intr. & tr. communicate by gesture (signed to me to come; signed their assent).
3 tr. & intr. engage or be engaged by signing a contract etc. (see also sign+on sign+up ).
4 tr. mark with a sign (esp. with the sign of the cross in baptism). make no sign seem unconscious; not protest. sign and countersign secret words etc. used as passwords. sign away convey (one's right, property, etc.) by signing a deed etc. sign for acknowledge receipt of by signing. sign language a system of communication by visual gestures, used esp. by the deaf. sign of the cross a Christian sign made in blessing or prayer, by tracing a cross from the forehead to the chest and to each shoulder, or in the air. sign off 1 end work, broadcasting, a letter, etc., esp. by writing or speaking one's name.
2 a end a period of employment, contract, etc. b end the period of employment or contract of (a person).
3 Brit. stop receiving unemployment benefit after finding work.
4 Bridge indicate by a conventional bid that one is seeking to end the bidding. sign-off n. Bridge such a bid. sign of the times a portent etc. showing a likely trend. sign on 1 agree to a contract, employment, etc.
2 begin work, broadcasting, etc., esp. by writing or announcing one's name.
3 employ (a person).
4 Brit. register as unemployed. sign-painter (or -writer) a person who paints signboards etc. sign up 1 engage or employ (a person).
2 enlist in the armed forces.
3 a commit (another person or oneself) by signing etc. (signed you up for dinner). b enrol (signed up for evening classes). signable adj. signer n. [ME f. OF signe, signer f. L signum, signare] |
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Related Words
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metal
out
address
alcoholism
language
alphabet
american
astrology
heart
attack
banner
neon
beer
being
pregnant
cancer
skin
chinese
zodiac
church
company
construction
custom
depression
diabetes
dictionary
dollar
early
pregnancy
exit
first
funny
heres
your
hollywood
horoscope
aol
instant
messenger
baby
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Most Often Usage
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metal sign
sign out
address sign
sign of alcoholism
sign language alphabet
american sign language
astrology sign
sign of a heart attack
sign banner
neon beer sign
beer sign
sign of being pregnant
cancer sign
sign of skin cancer
chinese zodiac sign
chinese sign
church sign
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