Word: sign Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English signe, sygne, syng, seine, sine, syne, from Old English seġn (“sign; mark; token”) and Old French signe, seing (“sign; mark; signature”); both from Latin signum (“a mark; sign; token”); root uncertain. Doublet of signum and signal. Partially displaced native token. Pronunciation: /saɪn/, /sɑe̯n/, [sɑe̯n] 1. A visible fact that shows that something exists or may happen. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Their angry expressions were a clear sign they didn't want to talk. Example: Those clouds show signs of raining soon. 2. A visible fact that shows that something exists or may happen. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: "It's a sign of the end of the world," the doom prophet said. 3. A visible fact that shows that something exists or may happen. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Signs of disease are objective, whereas symptoms are subjective. 4. A mark or another symbol used to represent something. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: The sharp sign indicates that the pitch of the note is raised a half step. Example: I gave them a thumbs-up sign. 5. Physical evidence left by an animal. Labels: Australia, Canada, US, uncountable Example: The hunters found deer sign at the end of the trail. Example: Animal sign is the key to eliminating guesswork when setting your traps. Only trap where there is sign. Sign is anything the animal leaves as a trace that indicates it may have passed through the area. 6. A clearly visible object, generally flat, bearing a short message in words or pictures. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: The sign in the window advertised a room for rent. Example: I missed the sign at the corner so I took the wrong turn. 7. A wonder; miracle; prodigy. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs. 8. An astrological sign. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Your sign is Taurus? That's no surprise. 9. Positive or negative polarity, as denoted by the + or - sign. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: I got the magnitude right, but the sign was wrong. 10. A specific gesture or motion used to communicate by those with speaking or hearing difficulties; now specifically, a linguistic unit in sign language equivalent to word in spoken languages. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: And why not, as well as our dumbe men dispute, argue and tell histories by signes? Example: In American Sign Language (ASL), for instance, the sign for 'catch' is formed with one hand (in the role of agent) moving across the body (an action) to grasp the forefinger of the other hand (the patient). 11. Sign language in general. Labels: uncountable Example: Sorry, I don't know sign very well. 12. A semantic unit, something that conveys meaning or information (e.g. a word of written language); (linguistics, semiotics) a unit consisting of a signifier and a signified concept. (See sign (semiotics).) Labels: countable, uncountable Example: A Noun substantive and a Noun adjective may be thus distinguished, that a substantive may have the sign a or the before it; as, puer, a boy, the boy; but an adjective cannot, as, bonus, good. Example: A Pronoun is a Noun implying a Person, but not admitting the Sign a or the before it. 13. A military emblem carried on a banner or standard. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: The great Ensign of Messiah blaz'd Aloft by Angels born, his Sign in Heav'n.