sign
     adj : used of the language of the deaf [syn: {gestural}, {sign(a)},
            {signed}, {sign-language(a)}]
     n 1: a perceptible indication of something not immediately
          apparent (as a visible clue that something has
          happened); "he showed signs of strain"; "they welcomed
          the signs of spring" [syn: {mark}]
     2: a public display of a (usually written) message; "he posted
        signs in all the shop windows"
     3: any communication that encodes a message; "signals from the
        boat suddenly stopped" [syn: {signal}, {signaling}]
     4: structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be
        posted; "the highway was lined with signboards" [syn: {signboard}]
     5: (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is
        divided [syn: {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 asphixiation"
     7: having an indicated pole (as the distinction between
        positive and negative electric charges); "he got the
        polarity of the battery reversed"; "charges of opposite
        sign" [syn: {polarity}]
     8: an event that is experienced as indicating important things
        to come; "he hoped it was an augury"; "it was a sign from
        God" [syn: {augury}, {foretoken}, {preindication}]
     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); "She
          signed the letter and sent it off"; "Please sign here"
          [syn: {subscribe}]
     2: approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation;
        "All parties ratified the peace treaty"; "Have you signed
        your contract yet?" [syn: {ratify}]
     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; "They signed two new pitchers
        for the next season" [syn: {contract}, {sign on}, {sign up}]
     5: communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs;
        "He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand
        gesture"; "The diner signaled the waiters to bring the
        menu" [syn: {signal}, {signalize}, {signalise}]
     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 [syn: {bless}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0