signal1
¦ noun
1. a gesture, action, or sound conveying information or an instruction.
2. an indication of a state of affairs.
3. an event or statement that provides the impulse or occasion for something to happen.
4. a light or semaphore on a railway, giving indications to train drivers of whether or not to proceed.
5. Bridge a prearranged convention of bidding or play intended to convey information to one's partner.
6. an electrical impulse or radio wave transmitted or received.
¦ verb (signals, signalling, signalled; US signals, signaling, signaled)
1. transmit a signal.
2. instruct or indicate by means of a signal.
Derivatives
signaller noun
Origin
ME: from OFr., from med. L.
signale, neut. of late L.
signalis, from L.
signum (see
sign).
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signal2
¦ adjective striking in extent, seriousness, or importance.
Derivatives
signally adverb
Origin
C17: from Fr. signale, from the Ital. past participle segnalato 'distinguished', from segnale 'a signal'.