sign

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"

a public display of a message; "he posted signs in all the shop windows"

any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message; "signals from the boat suddenly stopped"

structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted; "the highway was lined with signboards"

(medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease; "there were no signs of asphyxiation"

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"

an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come; "he hoped it was an augury"; "it was a sign from God"

a gesture that is part of a sign language

a fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified; "The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary"--de Saussure

a character indicating a relation between quantities; "don't forget the minus sign"

mark with one's signature; write one's name (on); "She signed the letter and sent it off"; "Please sign here"

approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation; "All parties ratified the peace treaty"; "Have you signed your contract yet?"

engage by written agreement; "They signed two new pitchers for the next season"

make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate