SIGNAL • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Signal

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/sˈɪgnəl/ Listen

noun

Signal n.

1.

A sign made for the purpose of giving notice to a person of some occurence, command, or danger; also, a sign, event, or watchword, which has been agreed upon as the occasion of concerted action. "All obeyed The wonted signal and superior voice Of this great potentate."

2.

A token; an indication; a foreshadowing; a sign; anything taken as evidence of some process. "The weary sun... Gives signal of a goodly day to-morrow." "There was not the least signal of the calamity to be seen."

3.

Hence: (Electronics) A measureable electrical quantity, such as voltage or current, that conveys information by varying in magnitude over time; as, the signals from the strongest commercial radio stations can be received over hundreds of miles.

verb

Signal v. t. (past & past part. signaled or signalled; pres. part. signaling or signalling)

1.

To communicate by signals; as, to signal orders.

2.

To notify by a signals; to make a signal or signals to; as, to signal a fleet to anchor.

adjective

Signal adj.

1.

Noticeable; distinguished from what is ordinary; eminent; remarkable; memorable; as, a signal exploit; a signal service; a signal act of benevolence. "As signal now in low, dejected state As erst in highest, behold him where he lies."

2.

Of or pertaining to signals, or the use of signals in conveying information; as, a signal flag or officer.

The signal service, a bureau of the government (in the United States connected with the War Department) organized to collect from the whole country simultaneous raports of local meteorological conditions, upon comparison of which at the central office, predictions concerning the weather are telegraphed to various sections, where they are made known by signals publicly displayed.

Signal station, the place where a signal is displayed; specifically, an observation office of the signal service.

Synonyms: Eminent; remarkable; memorable; extraordinary; notable; conspicuous.

See images of 'Signal'

Etymology of 'Signal'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Signal" Quotes from Famous Books

... its weight; and Lieutenant Porte, who was to take it across, was in a fix till this war came along and called him over. Orville Wright is trying to make a do of his factory. It is significant that Captain Mitchell, of the U.S. Signal Corps, the other day asked the U.S. Government 'to help those fellows out or they'll have to quit the business.' So you see Jefson, that's why I get the huff when I see the same sort of thing over here, especially in times like ...

— The Sequel - What the Great War will mean to Australia • George A. Taylor

... must have passed before a very faint noise was heard, and then I caught a discreet scratching. It was the signal. One of the little men got up and crawled forward to the door like a dog on his hands and knees. Then I heard a revolver click—a short pause, and the noise of a door being opened. Then there was a ...

— Indiscreet Letters From Peking • B. L. Putman Weale

... for the happiness of any woman. I once saw an advertisement in the newspaper inserted by a discontented young wife whose husband was a recluse and would not take her out of evenings. She wanted to communicate with congenial people, and, like a desperate sailor marooned, was driven to wave her signal in the sight of the casual eye. This frank confession of abandonment made a profound impression upon me. I thought to myself, "Master recluse, you are a pilferer and have filched a life. I am yet more solitary in my estate, ...

— Apologia Diffidentis • W. Compton Leith

... Banderial Hussars were for the first time in this war—the first time perhaps in the recollection of man—opposed to one another in battle. If looks could slay, there would have been no need of a conflict, for the eyes of the Magyars shot death and contempt at their unworthy adversaries. The signal of attack sounded; and at the same instant, as if seized by one common thought, the Hungarian Hussars clattered their heavy sabres back into the scabbard, and with a fearful imprecation, such as no German tongue could echo, charged weaponless and at full speed their mimic ...

— The International Weekly Miscellany, Volume I. No. 9. - Of Literature, Art, and Science, August 26, 1850 • Various

... morning, after rising, I was looking for the washing apparatus, when he tapped me on the shoulder, as a signal to accompany him to the brook in the rear of the house, in whose pure crystal waters we performed our morning ablutions. After breakfast, through the persuasion of the sheriff, I agreed to go across the country by his house. He was on horseback; I on foot ...

— Daniel Boone - The Pioneer of Kentucky • John S. C. Abbott

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