signal
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Related to signal: Analog signal
sig·nal
(sĭg′nəl)n.
1.
a. An indicator, such as a gesture or colored light, that serves as a means of communication. See Synonyms at gesture.
b. A message communicated by such means.
2. Something that incites action: The peace treaty was the signal for celebration.
3. Biology A physical entity, such as a chemical or an electromagnetic wave, that activates a cell receptor and elicits a specific response.
4.
a. Electronics An impulse or fluctuating quantity, as of electrical voltage or light intensity, whose variations represent coded information.
b. Computers A sequence of digital values whose variations represent coded information.
5. The sound, image, or message transmitted or received by means of telecommunications.
adj.
Notably out of the ordinary: a signal feat; a signal event.
v. sig·naled, sig·nal·ing, sig·nals or sig·nalled or sig·nal·ling
v.tr.
1. To make a signal to: I signaled the driver to proceed.
2. To relate or make known by signals: They have signaled their willingness to negotiate.
3. To cause an effect in (a cell) by the activation of a receptor, as by a neurotransmitter or hormone.
v.intr.
To make a signal or signals.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin signāle, from neuter of Late Latin signālis, of a sign, from Latin signum, sign; see sign.]
sig′nal·er, sig′nal·ler n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
signal
(ˈsɪɡnəl)n
1. any sign, gesture, token, etc, that serves to communicate information
2. anything that acts as an incitement to action: the rise in prices was a signal for rebellion.
3. (Telecommunications)
a. a variable parameter, such as a current or electromagnetic wave, by which information is conveyed through an electronic circuit, communications system, etc
b. the information so conveyed
c. (as modifier): signal strength; a signal generator.
adj
4. distinguished or conspicuous
5. used to give or act as a signal
vb, -nals, -nalling or -nalled, -nals, -naling or -naled
to communicate (a message, etc) to (a person)
[C16: from Old French seignal, from Medieval Latin signāle, from Latin signum sign]
ˈsignaller, ˈsignaler n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
sig•nal
(ˈsɪg nl)n., adj., v. -naled, -nal•ing (esp. Brit.) -nalled, -nal•ling. n.
1. anything that serves to indicate, warn, direct, command, or the like, as a light, a gesture, or an act.
2. anything agreed upon or understood as the occasion for concerted action.
3. an act, event, or the like that causes or incites some action.
4. a token; indication.
5. an electrical quantity or effect, as current, voltage, or electromagnetic waves, that can be varied in such a way as to convey information.
6. (in cards) a play indicating to one's partner to continue or discontinue the suit led.
adj. 7. serving as a signal.
8. unusual; notable; outstanding.
v.t. 9. to make a signal to.
10. to communicate or make known by a signal.
v.i. 11. to make communication by a signal or signals.
[1350–1400; < Medieval Latin signāle, Late Latin, n. use of neuter of signālis of a sign. See sign]
sig′nal•er; esp. Brit. sig′nal•ler, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
signal
, sign - Signal is from Latin signalis, "of a sign," from signum, "mark, token"—from which sign is derived.See also related terms for token.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
signal
1. As applied to electronics, any transmitted electrical impulse.
2. Operationally, a type of message, the text of which consists of one or more letters, words, characters, signal flags, visual displays, or special sounds with prearranged meaning, and which is conveyed or transmitted by visual, acoustical, or electrical means.
2. Operationally, a type of message, the text of which consists of one or more letters, words, characters, signal flags, visual displays, or special sounds with prearranged meaning, and which is conveyed or transmitted by visual, acoustical, or electrical means.
Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.
signal
Past participle: signalled
Gerund: signalling
| Imperative |
|---|
| signal |
| signal |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  signal - any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message; "signals from the boat suddenly stopped"communication - something that is communicated by or to or between people or groups recording - a signal that encodes something (e.g., picture or sound) that has been recorded phone number, telephone number, number - the number is used in calling a particular telephone; "he has an unlisted number" starting signal, start - a signal to begin (as in a race); "the starting signal was a green light"; "the runners awaited the start" storm signal - a signal announcing the approach of a storm (particularly a storm of marked violence) beam, radio beam - a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather ticktack - system of signalling by hand signs used by bookmakers at racetracks time signal - a signal (especially electronic or by radio) indicating the precisely correct time dog-ear - a corner of a page turned down to mark your place animal communication - communication between animals (of the same species) distress call, distress signal - an internationally recognized signal sent out by a ship or plane indicating that help is needed all clear - a signal (usually a siren) that danger is over bugle call - a signal broadcast by the sound of a bugle curfew - a signal (usually a bell) announcing the start of curfew restrictions retreat - (military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position drumbeat - (military) the beating of a drum as a signal for lowering the flag at sundown radiotelegraphic signal, telegraphic signal - a signal transmitted by telegraphy whistle, whistling - the act of signalling (e.g., summoning) by whistling or blowing a whistle; "the whistle signalled the end of the game" high sign - a silent signal of warning or recognition; "she started to speak but he gave her the high sign" symbol - an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance visual signal - a signal that involves visual communication indicator - a signal for attracting attention electronic signal - a signal generated by electronic means radio beacon - a characteristic signal emitted by a transmitter used for navigation input, input signal - signal going into an electronic system output signal, output - signal that comes out of an electronic system |
| 2. | signal - any incitement to action; "he awaited the signal to start"; "the victory was a signal for wild celebration" incitation, provocation, incitement - something that incites or provokes; a means of arousing or stirring to action | |
| 3. | signal - an electric quantity (voltage or current or field strength) whose modulation represents coded information about the source from which it comes interrupt - a signal that temporarily stops the execution of a program so that another procedure can be carried out electrical energy, electricity - energy made available by the flow of electric charge through a conductor; "they built a car that runs on electricity" | |
| Verb | 1. | signal - 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" communicate, intercommunicate - transmit thoughts or feelings; "He communicated his anxieties to the psychiatrist" wigwag - signal by or as if by a flag or light waved according to a code semaphore - send signals by or as if by semaphore heliograph - signal by means of a mirror and the using the sun's rays flag - communicate or signal with a flag whistle - give a signal by whistling; "She whistled for her maid" |
| 2. |  signal - 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"augur, auspicate, bode, omen, portend, foreshadow, presage, prognosticate, predict, prefigure, betoken, forecast, foretell - indicate by signs; "These signs bode bad news" mark - designate as if by a mark; "This sign marks the border" tell - let something be known; "Tell them that you will be late" | |
| Adj. | 1. | signal - notably out of the ordinary; "the year saw one signal triumph for the Labour party" impressive - making a strong or vivid impression; "an impressive ceremony" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
signal
noun
1. flare, rocket, beam, beacon, smoke signal, signal fire They fired three distress signals.
2. cue, sign, nod, prompting, go-ahead (informal), reminder, green light You mustn't fire without my signal.
3. sign, gesture, indication, mark, note, evidence, expression, proof, token, indicator, manifestation The event was seen as a signal of support.
verb
1. gesture, sign, wave, indicate, nod, motion, beckon, gesticulate, give a sign to She signalled a passing taxi.
2. show, express, display, indicate, make known, announce, declare, register, communicate, proclaim The country was signalling its readiness to have the embargo lifted.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
signal
nounAn expressive, meaningful bodily movement:
Informal: high sign.
Readily attracting notice:
arresting, bold, conspicuous, eye-catching, marked, noticeable, observable, outstanding, pointed, prominent, pronounced, remarkable, salient, striking.
Idiom: sticking out like a sore thumb.
2. To make bodily motions so as to convey an idea or complement speech:
Idiom: give the high sign.
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
إشَارَةإشارَة لاسِلكِيَّهإشارَهماكِنة تُسْتَعْمَل كإشارَهيُرْسِلُ إشارَةً
signálsignalizovatvysílat signálysignalizační zařízení
signalsignaleretegngøre tegn til
antaa merkkisignaali
signalsignalizirati
jeladással közöljelzõberendezés
gefa e-m merkimerkimerki, ljóssenda skilaboî meî merkjum
合図合図する
신호신호를 보내다
signalizuotisignalizuotojassignalizatorius
rādīt ar zīmēm/žestiemsignāliekārtasignalizētsignālszīme
signálsignalizačné zariadeniesignalizovaťvysielať signály
dati znaksignalsmernikznak
signalsignalera
ให้สัญญาณสัญญาณ
ra hiệutín hiệu
signal
[ˈsɪgnl]A. N → señal f (Telec) → señal f, tono m (TV, Rad) → sintonía f
it was the signal for revolt → fue la señal para la sublevación
I can't get a signal (Telec) → no hay cobertura
to give the signal for → dar la señal de or para
to make a signal to sb → hacer una señal a algn
railway signals → semáforos mpl de ferrocarril
traffic signals → semáforo msing
it was the signal for revolt → fue la señal para la sublevación
I can't get a signal (Telec) → no hay cobertura
to give the signal for → dar la señal de or para
to make a signal to sb → hacer una señal a algn
railway signals → semáforos mpl de ferrocarril
traffic signals → semáforo msing
B. VT
1. [+ message] → comunicar por señales
to signal sb to do sth → hacer señas a algn para que haga algo
to signal that → comunicar por señas que ...
to signal one's approval → hacer una seña de aprobación
to signal sb on/through → dar a algn la señal de pasar
to signal a train → anunciar por señales la llegada de un tren
the train is signalled → la señal indica la llegada del tren
to signal a left-/right-hand turn (Aut) → indicar un giro a la izquierda/derecha
to signal sb to do sth → hacer señas a algn para que haga algo
to signal that → comunicar por señas que ...
to signal one's approval → hacer una seña de aprobación
to signal sb on/through → dar a algn la señal de pasar
to signal a train → anunciar por señales la llegada de un tren
the train is signalled → la señal indica la llegada del tren
to signal a left-/right-hand turn (Aut) → indicar un giro a la izquierda/derecha
2. (= signify) → señalar
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
signal
[ˈsɪgnəl] n
(= action or sound) (giving message, instructions) → signal m
to wait for the signal → attendre le signal
He waited for the signal to speak → Il attendit qu'on lui fasse signe de parler.
to give the signal → donner le signal
to wait for the signal → attendre le signal
He waited for the signal to speak → Il attendit qu'on lui fasse signe de parler.
to give the signal → donner le signal
(= indication) → signe m
They saw the visit as an important signal of support → Ils considéraient cette visite comme un signe fort de soutien.
They saw the visit as an important signal of support → Ils considéraient cette visite comme un signe fort de soutien.
(RAILWAYS) → poste m d'aiguillage
(RADIO, TV, TELECOMMUNICATIONS) → signal m
vi
(= make a signal) → faire signe
to signal to sb → faire signe à qn
to signal to sb to do sth → faire signe à qn de faire qch
to signal for sth → faire signe pour demander qch
to signal to sb → faire signe à qn
to signal to sb to do sth → faire signe à qn de faire qch
to signal for sth → faire signe pour demander qch
(in car) [driver] → mettre son clignotant
vt
[+ person] → faire signe à
(in car) [driver] to signal a left turn → mettre son clignotant à gauche
to signal a right turn → mettre son clignotant à droite
to signal a right turn → mettre son clignotant à droite
[+ message] → communiquer par signauxsignal box n (RAILWAYS) → poste m d'aiguillage
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
signal
:signal box
n → Stellwerk nt
signal flag
n → Signalflagge f
signal
:signalman
signal-red
adj → signalrot
signal tower
n (US Rail) → Stellwerk nt
signal
1n
(= sign) → Zeichen nt; (as part of code) → Signal nt; (= message) → Nachricht f; to give the signal for something → das Zeichen/Signal zu etw geben; to make a signal to somebody → jdm ein Zeichen geben
(Telec) → Signal nt
(Brit, Mil) Signals → ˜ Fernmelder pl, Angehörige der britischen Fernmeldetruppe Royal Corps of Signals
vt
(= indicate) → anzeigen; arrival, future event, spring etc → ankündigen; to signal somebody to do something → jdm ein Zeichen geben, etw zu tun; the policeman signalled (Brit) or signaled (US) the cars on → der Polizist gab den Autos das Zeichen weiterzufahren; he signalled (Brit) or signaled (US) that he was going to turn left → er zeigte an, dass er (nach) links abbiegen wollte; the train was signalled (Brit) or signaled (US) onto another line → der Zug wurde durch Signale auf ein anderes Gleis gewiesen or geleitet; to signal one’s intention to do something → anzeigen, dass man vorhat, etw zu tun
message → signalisieren
vi → ein Zeichen geben; he signalled (Brit) or signaled (US) to the waiter → er winkte dem Ober; he signalled for his bill (Brit) he signaled for the check (US) → er winkte zum Zeichen, dass er zahlen wollte; the driver didn’t signal → der Fahrer hat kein Zeichen gegeben or hat nicht angezeigt; the general signalled (Brit) or signaled (US) for reinforcements → der General forderte Verstärkung an
signal
2adj attr (liter) victory, courage → beachtlich, bemerkenswert; success, contribution → beachtlich; failure, stupidity → eklatant (geh)
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
signal
[ˈsɪgnl]1. n signal (for) → segnale m (di)
at a prearranged signal → ad un segnale convenuto
distress signal → segnale di soccorso
traffic signals → semafori mpl
railway signals → segnali mpl ferroviari
the engaged signal (Telec) → il segnale di occupato
the signal is very weak (TV) → la ricezione è molto debole
at a prearranged signal → ad un segnale convenuto
distress signal → segnale di soccorso
traffic signals → semafori mpl
railway signals → segnali mpl ferroviari
the engaged signal (Telec) → il segnale di occupato
the signal is very weak (TV) → la ricezione è molto debole
2. adj (frm) (success, importance) → notevole
3. vt
a. (message) → comunicare per mezzo di segnali
to signal a left/right turn (Aut) → segnalare una svolta a sinistra/destra
to signal sb on/through → far segno a qn di avanzare/passare
to signal a left/right turn (Aut) → segnalare una svolta a sinistra/destra
to signal sb on/through → far segno a qn di avanzare/passare
b. (signify) → indicare
4. vi (gen) → segnalare; (for help) → fare segnalazioni
to signal to sb (to do sth) → far segno a qn (di fare qc)
to signal to sb (to do sth) → far segno a qn (di fare qc)
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
signal
(ˈsignəl) noun1. a sign (eg a movement of the hand, a light, a sound), especially one arranged beforehand, giving a command, warning or other message. He gave the signal to advance.
2. a machine etc used for this purpose. a railway signal.
3. the wave, sound received or sent out by a radio set etc.
verb – past tense, past participle ˈsignalled , (American) ˈsignaled – 1. to make signals (to). The policeman signalled the driver to stop.
2. to send (a message etc) by means of signals.
ˈsignalman noun1. a person who operates railway signals.
2. a person who sends signals in general. He is a signalman in the army.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
signal
→ إشَارَة, يُشيرُ signál, signalizovat signal, signalere Signal, signalisieren σηματοδοτώ, σινιάλο señal, señalar antaa merkki, signaali signal, signaler signal, signalizirati segnalare, segnale 合図, 合図する 신호, 신호를 보내다 signaal, signaleren signal, signalisere sygnał, zasygnalizować sinal, sinalizar подавать сигнал, сигнал signal, signalera ให้สัญญาณ, สัญญาณ işaret, işaretle anlatmak ra hiệu, tín hiệu 信号, 发信号Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009