signal

Pronunciation: /ˈsɪɡnəl/

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
  2. noun any incitement to action
  3. noun an electric quantity (voltage or current or field strength) whose modulation represents coded information about the source from which it comes

Etymology

From Old French segnal, seignal or Medieval Latin signāle; noun use of the neuter of Late Latin signālis, from Latin signum; verb use from 1805, as a shortened from signalize (1650s). Doublet of signum and sign.

In classic literature

Synonyms

signaling, sign

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
communication
Narrower (hyponyms)
animal communication, whistle, electronic signal, curfew, recording, indicator

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