n.

1. a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened);
   mark
   
   • he showed signs of strain
   • they welcomed the signs of spring
2. a public display of a (usually written) message
   
   • he posted signs in all the shop windows
3. any communication that encodes a message;
   signal, signaling
   
   • signals from the boat suddenly stopped
4. structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted;
   signboard
   
   • the highway was lined with signboards
5. (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided;
   sign of the zodiac, star sign, mansion, house, planetary house
6. (medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease
   
   • there were no signs of asphyxiation
7. having an indicated pole  (as the distinction between positive and negative electric charges);
   polarity
   
   • he got the polarity of the battery reversed
   • charges of opposite sign
8. an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come;
   augury, foretoken, preindication
   
   • he hoped it was an augury
   • it was a sign from God
9. a gesture that is part of a sign language
10. a fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified; "The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary"--de Saussure
11. a character indicating a relation between quantities
    
    • don't forget the minus sign

v.

1. mark with one's signature; write one's name (on);
   subscribe
   
   • She signed the letter and sent it off
   • Please sign here
2. approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation;
   ratify
   
   • All parties ratified the peace treaty
   • Have you signed your contract yet?
3. be engaged by a written agreement
   
   • He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18
   • The soprano signed to sing the new opera
4. engage by written agreement;
   contract, sign on, sign up
   
   • They signed two new pitchers for the next season
5. communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs;
   signal, signalize, signalise
   
   • He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture
   • The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu
6. place signs, as along a road
   
   • sign an intersection
   • This road has been signed
7. communicate in sign language
   
   • I don't know how to sign, so I could not communicate with my deaf cousin
8. make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate;
   bless

adj.

1. used of the language of the deaf;
   gestural, sign(a), signed, sign-language(a)