WordReference can't find this exact phrase, but click on each word to see its meaning:
WordReference provides online dictionaries, not translation software. Please look up the individual words (you can click on them below) or ask in the forums if you need more help.
an indication; something that signifies something else:Bowing is a sign of respect.
a mark or symbol used as an abbreviation for the word or words it represents, as in music or mathematics, etc.:a dollar sign.
a gesture used to express or convey information, an idea, etc.:He raised his eyebrows, which was his sign that he didn't believe what I was saying.
a board, placard, etc., with writing or a drawing on it that bears a warning, advertisement, or other information for public view:a traffic sign.
something left behind that indicates the presence of something else; a trace:There wasn't a sign of the crooks.
a signal or hint that something will happen; an omen; portent:The early frost was a sign of a long, harsh winter ahead.
Medicinean indication of a disease:Extra saliva at the mouth, odd behavior, and inability to drink are all signs of rabies.
Linguisticsany gesture that is a unit of meaning in sign language:She showed me the signs for "eat,'' "love,'' and "teacher.''
Astrologyone of the twelve signs of the zodiac:His sign is Capricorn; what's your sign?
v.
to write (one's signature) on (something): [~ + object]to sign a letter.[no object]Where should I sign?
to hire by written agreement:[~ + object]to sign a basketball player.
to write one's signature to indicate acceptance, as of a contract for employment:[no object]refused to sign with the Yankees.
to communicate by means of a sign; signal: [~ + object]He signed his obvious displeasure by frowning.[~ + that clause]He signed to her that they should leave.
[no object] to make signals; communicate something by signals:She signed to the waiter for the check.
Linguisticsto convey or signal (a message) in a sign language: [no object]She signed frantically to him but he wasn't looking at her.[~ + object]She signed the words for "water'' and "glass'' to ask for a glass of water.
sign away or over, to dispose of by putting one's signature on a document: [~ + over + object]According to the agreement he has signed over all the property.[~ + object + over]She signed the property over to her daughter.
sign for, [~ + for + object] to sign one's name or signature to acknowledge that one has received (a package, letter, etc.):signed for the packages.
sign in (or out), [no object] to record one's arrival (or departure) by signing a register:He signed in when he got to work.
sign off, [no object]
to stop broadcasting, esp. at the end of the day:The station signed off at three in the morning.
to indicate one's approval openly if not formally:The boss signed off on my plan.
sign on:
[~ + on + object] to hire:He signed on several good players.
to agree to do something: [no object]He signed on as a pitcher for the team.[~ + on + to + verb]I signed on to help.
[no object] to start a session with computer systems:He signed on to the system by typing his computer I.D. and his password.
sign up:
[no object] to join an organization or group:to sign up for the navy.
to hire: [~ + object + up]Sign him up if he can pitch tomorrow.[~ + up + object]to sign up some good players.
-sign- comes from Latin, where it has the meaning "sign; have meaning.'' This meaning is found in such words as: assign, assignation, consign, cosign, design, designate, ensign, insignia, insignificant, resign, sign, signal, signature, signet, significant, signify, undersigned.
Linguisticsany object, action, event, pattern, etc., that conveys a meaning.
a conventional or arbitrary mark, figure, or symbol used as an abbreviation for the word or words it represents.
a motion or gesture used to express or convey an idea, command, decision, etc.:Her nod was a sign that it was time to leave.
a notice, bearing a name, direction, warning, or advertisement, that is displayed or posted for public view:a traffic sign; a store sign.
a trace; vestige:There wasn't a sign of them.
an arbitrary or conventional symbol used in musical notation to indicate tonality, tempo, etc.
Medicinethe objective indications of a disease.
Linguisticsany meaningful gestural unit belonging to a sign language.
an omen; portent:a sign of approaching decadence.
AstrologySee sign of the zodiac.
LinguisticsSee sign language (def. 1).
Usually, signs. traces, as footprints, of a wild animal.
Mathematics
Mathematicsa plus sign or minus sign used as a symbol for indicating addition or subtraction.
a plus sign or minus sign used as a symbol for indicating the positive or negative value of a quantity, as an integer.
See multiplication sign.
See division sign.
Mathematicsa symbol, as √ ̅ or !, used to indicate a radical or factorial operation.
v.t.
to affix a signature to:to sign a letter.
to write as a signature:to sign one's name.
to engage by written agreement:to sign a new player.
to mark with a sign, esp. the sign of the cross.
to communicate by means of a sign; signal:He signed his wish to leave.
Linguisticsto convey (a message) in a sign language.
[Obs.]to direct or appoint by a sign.
v.i.
to write one's signature, as a token of agreement, obligation, receipt, etc.:to sign for a package.
to make a sign or signal:He signed to her to go away.
Linguisticsto employ a sign language for communication.
to obligate oneself by signature:He signed with another team for the next season.
sign away or over, to assign or dispose of by affixing one's signature to a document:She signed over her fortune to the church.
sign in (or out) to record or authorize one's arrival (or departure) by signing a register.
sign off:
to withdraw, as from some responsibility or connection.
to cease radio or television broadcasting, esp. at the end of the day.
Informal Termsto become silent:He had exhausted conversation topics and signed off.
to indicate one's approval explicitly if not formally:The president is expected to sign off on the new agreement.
sign on:
to employ; hire.
to bind oneself to work, as by signing a contract:He signed on as a pitcher with a major-league team.
to start radio or television broadcasting, esp. at the beginning of the day.
[Computers.]log1 (def. 17a).
sign up, to enlist, as in an organization or group; to register or subscribe:to sign up for the navy; to sign up for class.
Latin signāre to mark with a sign, inscribe, affix a seal to, derivative of signum
Old French signer
Latin signum mark, sign, ensign, signal, image; (verb, verbal) Middle English signen to mark with a sign, esp. the sign of the cross
Old French
(noun, nominal) Middle English signe 1175–1225
sign′less, adj. sign′like′, adj.
1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged trace, hint, suggestion.
1, 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged signal.
10.See corresponding entry in Unabridged indication, hint, augury. Sign,omen,portent name that which gives evidence of a future event. Sign is a general word for whatever gives evidence of an event--past, present, or future:Dark clouds are a sign of rain or snow.An omen is an augury or warning of things to come; it is used only of the future, in general, as good or bad:birds of evil omen.Portent, limited, like omen, to prophecy of the future, may be used of a specific event, usually a misfortune:portents of war.