D defs.my
Menu ☰
Entry 7 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Signal

/sĭgʹnəl/ · Sig·nal · IPA /ˈsɪɡnəl/
01 n. 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 ha…
  1. 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.” — Milton.
  2. 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.” — Shak.
    “There was not the least signal of the calamity to be seen.” — De Foc.
  3. 3.
    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.(Electronics)
02 a. Noticeable; distinguished from what is ordinary; eminent; remarkable; memorable; as, a signal exploit; a signal service; a signal act of be…
  1. 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.” — Milton.
  2. 2.
    Of or pertaining to signals, or the use of signals in conveying information; as, a signal flag or officer.
Phrases & compounds
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.
Syn. Eminent; remarkable; memorable; extraordinary; notable; conspicuous.
03 v. t. To communicate by signals; as, to signal orders.
imp. & p. p. Signaled; p. pr. & vb. n. Signaling
  1. 1.
    To communicate by signals; as, to signal orders.
  2. 2.
    To notify by a signals; to make a signal or signals to; as, to signal a fleet to anchor.