Signal

//ˈsɪɡnəl// adj, noun, verb

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement. not-comparable

    "a signal exploit; a signal success; a signal act of benevolence"

Adjective
  1. 1
    notably out of the ordinary wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    A sequence of states representing an encoded message in a communication channel.
  2. 2
    any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message wordnet
  3. 3
    Any variation of a quantity or change in an entity over time that conveys information upon detection.
  4. 4
    any incitement to action wordnet
  5. 5
    A sign made to give notice of some occurrence, command, or danger, or to indicate the start of a concerted action.

    "All obeyed / The wonted signal and superior voice / Of this great potentate."

Show 9 more definitions
  1. 6
    an electric quantity (voltage or current or field strength) whose modulation represents coded information about the source from which it comes wordnet
  2. 7
    An on-off light, semaphore, or other device used to give an indication to another person.
  3. 8
    An on-off light, semaphore, or other device used to give an indication to another person.; A railway signal.
  4. 9
    An electromagnetic action, normally a voltage that is a function of time, that conveys the information of the radio or TV program or of communication with another party. Internet, TV, usually

    "My mobile phone can't get a signal in the railway station."

  5. 10
    An action, change or process done to convey information and thus reduce uncertainty.
  6. 11
    A token; an indication; a foreshadowing; a sign.

    "The weary sun […] / Gives signal of a goodly day to-morrow."

  7. 12
    Useful information, as opposed to noise.
  8. 13
    A simple interprocess communication used to notify a process or thread of an occurrence. Unix
  9. 14
    A signalling interaction between cells
Verb
  1. 1
    To indicate; to convey or communicate by a signal. ambitransitive

    "I signalled my acquiescence with a nod."

  2. 2
    be a signal for or a symptom of wordnet
  3. 3
    To communicate with (a person or system) by a signal. transitive

    "Seeing the flames, he ran to the control room and signalled headquarters."

  4. 4
    communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Old French segnal, seignal or Medieval Latin signāle; noun use of the neuter of Late Latin signālis, from Latin signum; verb use from 1805, as a shortened from signalize (1650s).

Etymology 2

From Old French segnal, seignal or Medieval Latin signāle; noun use of the neuter of Late Latin signālis, from Latin signum; verb use from 1805, as a shortened from signalize (1650s).

Etymology 3

From Old French segnal, seignal or Medieval Latin signāle; noun use of the neuter of Late Latin signālis, from Latin signum; verb use from 1805, as a shortened from signalize (1650s).

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