Signal

Pronunciation

• enPR: sÄ­g'nÉ™l, IPA: /ˈsɪɡn(É™)l/

Alternative forms

• signall

Origin

From Old French segnal, seignal or Medieval Latin signāle, noun use of the neuter of Late Latin signālis, from Latin signum.

Full definition of signal

Noun

1. A sign made to give notice of some occurrence, command, or danger, or to indicate the start of a concerted action.
• MiltonAll obeyed
  The wonted signal and superior voice
  Of this great potentate.
2. An on-off light, semaphore, or other device used to give an indication to another person.
3. (of a radio, TV, telephone, internet, etc) An electrical or electromagnetic action, normally a voltage that is a function of time that conveys the information of the radio or TV program or of communication with another party.My mobile phone can't get a signal in the railway station.
4. A token; an indication; a foreshadowing; a sign.
• ShakespeareThe weary sun ...
  Gives signal of a goodly day to-morrow.
• De FoeThere was not the least signal of the calamity to be seen.
5. Useful information, as opposed to noise.
6. (computing, Unix) A simple interprocess communication used to notify a process or thread of an occurrence.

Antonyms

• (useful information) noise

Derived terms

Verb

1. To indicate.

Adjective

1. Standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement.a signal exploit; a signal service; a signal act of benevolence
• MiltonAs signal now in low, dejected state
  As erst in highest, behold him where he lies.

Related terms

• signature (adjective)

Anagrams

• algins, aligns, lasing