sig·nal
(sĭǵnəl)
[Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin signāle, from neuter of Late Latin signālis, of a sign, from Latin signum, sign; see sign.]
noun
- An indicator, such as a gesture or colored light, that serves as a means of communication. See synonyms at gesture
- A message communicated by such means.
- Something that incites action: The peace treaty was the signal for celebration.
- Electronics An impulse or a fluctuating electric quantity, such as voltage, current, or electric field strength, whose variations represent coded information.
- The sound, image, or message transmitted or received in telegraphy, telephony, radio, television, or radar.
adjective
- Notably out of the ordinary: a signal feat; a signal event.
verb: -naled or -nalled, -nal·ing or -nal·ling, -nals or -nals
transitive verb
- To make a signal to: I signaled the driver to proceed.
- To relate or make known by signals: They have signaled their willingness to negotiate.
intransitive verb
- To make a signal or signals.
derivatives
- siǵnal·er
- noun
