Hypertext Webster Gateway: "signal"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Signal \Sig"nal\, n. [F., fr. LL. signale, fr. L. signum. See
{Sign}, n.]
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. A token; an indication; a foreshadowing; a sign.
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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Signal \Sig"nal\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Signaled or Signalled};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Signaling} or {Signalling}.]
1. To communicate by signals; as, to signal orders.
2. To notify by a signals; to make a signal or signals to;
as, to signal a fleet to anchor. --M. Arnold.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Signal \Sig"nal\, a. [From signal, n.: cf. F. signal['e].]
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. Of or pertaining to signals, or the use of signals in
conveying information; as, a signal flag or officer.
{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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
signal
adj : notably out of the ordinary; "the year saw one signal
triumph for the Labour party"
n 1: any communication that encodes a message; "signals from the
boat suddenly stopped" [syn: {signaling}, {sign}]
2: any incitement to action; "he awaited the signal to start";
"the victory was a signal for wild celebration"
3: an electric quantity (voltage or current or field strength)
whose modulation represents coded information about the
source from which it comes
v 1: 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: {sign}, {signalize}]
2: be a signal for or a symptom of; "These symptoms indicate a
serious illness"; "Her behavior points to a severe
neurosis"; "The economic indicators signal that the euro
is undervalued" [syn: {bespeak}, {betoken}, {indicate}, {point}]
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