sign

sign
sign1 [ saın ] noun ***
▸ 1 piece of evidence
▸ 2 something with words/pictures
▸ 3 movement/sound
▸ 4 written symbol
▸ 5 star sign
▸ + PHRASES
1. ) count or uncount a piece of evidence that something is happening or that something exists: INDICATION:
sign of: I couldn't see any signs of progress.
see/take something as a sign: Ann took his silence as a sign of rejection.
sure sign: She began tapping her foot, a sure sign of annoyance.
no/little etc. sign: There were few signs of an upturn in the economy.
sign that: He had somehow missed the signs that she was upset.
show no/little/every etc. sign: Flu infection rates show no sign of declining yet.
a ) something that suggests that a good or bad thing will happen in the future:
The fact that he phoned you is a good sign.
warning/danger sign: Looking back now, I realize I failed to spot the warning signs.
a sign of things to come (=a sign of what will happen in the future): Recent job losses are probably a sign of things to come.
b ) evidence that someone is present:
sign of: When we came out of the station there was no sign of her.
2. ) count a flat object with words or pictures on it, put in a public place to provide information or advertise something:
a flashing neon sign
The store had a closed sign in the window.
follow the signs: Turn right and just follow the brown signs to the zoo.
obey/ignore a sign: Several people were ignoring the no-smoking sign.
3. ) count a movement or sound you make that tells other people what you want, how you feel, what they should do, etc: SIGNAL:
a sign to someone (to do something): Marcie winked, our sign to each other to remain silent.
a ) a movement you make with your hands that has a special meaning:
give a sign: He turned and gave the familiar thumbs-up sign to the crowd.
4. ) count a written symbol that has a particular meaning, such as % meaning percent or $ meaning dollar :
a dollar sign
a multiplication/division sign
5. ) count a STAR SIGN:
I'm a Scorpio. What's your sign?
sign of life
1. ) evidence that a person is alive:
When the man was finally rescued, he showed no sign of life.
2. ) evidence that there is someone in a place:
The only sign of life in the house was the light from a television.
a sign of the times
something that shows what society is like now. Used especially for saying that you do not like what society is like.
sign
sign 2 [ saın ] verb ***
1. ) intransitive or transitive to write your name on something in your own personal way:
You haven't signed Rory's birthday card yet.
Just sign here.
sign an autograph: Players from both teams were signing autographs before the game.
a ) to write your full name on a document to show that you agree with what is written in it:
Please sign and date the form.
The contract must be signed before we can proceed with the work.
sign something with someone: The team has signed a special agreement with the players.
b ) if a group or country signs a document, its official representatives sign it to agree to what it says:
The rebels have now signed the ceasefire agreement.
A trade agreement was signed today by the U.S. and China.
sign something into law (=to officially sign a new law): The legislation was passed and signed into law last year.
2. ) sign or sign up transitive to officially employ someone to work for a particular organization:
The team needs to sign several replacement players.
sign someone to/for something: Within months, the group was signed to a major record company.
3. ) intransitive or transitive to communicate using sign language
signed, sealed, and delivered or signed and sealed
an agreement that is signed and sealed is officially completed
=> DOTTED LINE
,sign a`way phrasal verb transitive
if you sign away property or a right to something, you agree that it no longer belongs to you by writing your name on a document
`sign ,for phrasal verb transitive sign for something
1. ) if you sign for a package or letter, you show that you have received it by writing your name on a document
2. ) BRITISH to SIGN WITH a sports team
,sign `in phrasal verb
1. ) intransitive or transitive to write your name on an official list when you arrive at a place:
All visitors must sign in at the front desk.
sign someone in: He's signed you in and is waiting for you inside.
2. ) transitive if you sign in something you have borrowed, you write your name on an official list to show that you have returned it
─ opposite SIGN OUT
,sign `off phrasal verb intransitive
1. ) to end a broadcast on television or radio
a ) to end a letter
b ) to end a conversation by radio or computer
2. ) BRITISH to officially state that you now have a job and no longer need to receive money from the government
─ opposite SIGN ON
,sign `off on phrasal verb transitive AMERICAN INFORMAL
sign off on something to officially agree to something:
White House officials said the president has signed off on the policy and issued an executive order.
,sign `on phrasal verb
1. ) intransitive AMERICAN to agree to do something or to take part in something:
Companies have signed on as business partners with high schools across the country.
sign on to something: We're hopeful that they will sign on to this plan.
2. ) intransitive to write your name or a secret word in order to use a computer: LOG ON:
You need your password to sign on.
3. ) transitive to employ someone to do a job:
We've signed on three new employees.
4. ) intransitive BRITISH to apply to receive money from the government when you have lost your job
─ opposite SIGN OFF
,sign `out phrasal verb
1. ) intransitive or transitive to write your name on an official list when you leave a place:
sign someone out: I'll sign both of us out.
2. ) transitive if you sign out an object or vehicle, you write your name on an official list to show that you have borrowed or rented it:
I'll sign out a laptop for the weekend.
─ opposite SIGN IN
,sign `over phrasal verb transitive
to officially give your property to someone by writing your name on a document:
He's nervous about signing over the whole farm.
sign something over to someone: Her dad signed the car over to her.
,sign `up phrasal verb
1. ) intransitive to agree to do something or to join a program or organization:
It's a voluntary course students only sign up if they want to.
sign up for: She's decided to sign up for music school.
2. ) transitive to put someone's name on an official list for something:
sign someone up (to do something): They've signed me up to do voluntary work next month.
3. ) transitive same as SIGN 2 2:
We have signed up two new players.
`sign with phrasal verb transitive
sign with something if you sign with a sports team, you join it by signing a contract:
He has an offer to sign with the Phoenix Suns.

Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Sign-on — (or startup) is the term used to describe the beginning of operations for a television station. It is the opposite to a sign off (or closedown).As with sign offs, sign ons vary from country to country, and from station to station.North AmericaIn… …   Wikipedia

  • sign — [sīn] n. [ME signe < OFr < L signum, a mark, token, prob. < base of secare, to cut (see SAW1): orig. sense prob. “incised mark”] 1. something that indicates a fact, quality, etc.; indication; token [black as a sign of mourning] 2. a) a… …   English World dictionary

  • Sign — Sign, n. [F. signe, L. signum; cf. AS. segen, segn, a sign, standard, banner, also fr. L. signum. Cf. {Ensign}, {Resign}, {Seal} a stamp, {Signal}, {Signet}.] That by which anything is made known or represented; that which furnishes evidence; a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sign — n 1 Sign, mark, token, badge, note, symptom can denote a sensible and usually visible indication by means of which something not outwardly apparent or obvious is made known or revealed. Sign is the most comprehensive of these terms, being… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Sign — Single par Brown Eyed Girls Face A Sign (Japanese version) Face B Love is… (Jea Miryo) Sortie 26 janvier 2011 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Sign — Sign, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Signed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Signing}.] [OE. seinen to bless, originally, to make the sign of the cross over; in this sense fr. ASS. segnian (from segn, n.), or OF. seignier, F. signer, to mark, to sign (in sense 3), fr. L …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sign — vt 1: to affix a signature to: ratify or attest by hand or seal sign a bill into law; specif: to write or mark something (as a signature) on (a document) as an acknowledgment of one s intention to be bound by it 2: to assign or convey formally… …   Law dictionary

  • sign — ► NOUN 1) a thing whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence, occurrence, or advent of something else. 2) a signal, gesture, or notice conveying information or an instruction. 3) a symbol or word used to represent something in… …   English terms dictionary

  • sign in — {v.} To write your name on a special list or in a record book to show that you are present. * /Every worker must sign in when coming back to work./ * /Teachers go to the office and sign in each morning before going to their classrooms./ Contrast… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • sign in — {v.} To write your name on a special list or in a record book to show that you are present. * /Every worker must sign in when coming back to work./ * /Teachers go to the office and sign in each morning before going to their classrooms./ Contrast… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • sign — [n1] indication, evidence assurance, augury, auspice, badge, beacon, bell, caution, clue, divination, flag, flash, foreboding, foreknowledge, foreshadowing, foretoken, forewarning, gesture, giveaway, handwriting on wall*, harbinger, herald, high… …   New thesaurus

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”