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Search results for 'sign':

sign noun 1 a printed mark with a meaning; a symbol • a multiplication sign. 2 math an indication of positive or negative value • the minus sign. 3 a gesture expressing a meaning; a signal. 4 an indication • signs of improvement. 5 a portent or omen; a miraculous token. 6 a board or panel displaying information for public view. 7 a board or panel displaying a shopkeeper's name, trade, etc. 8 a device or symbol indicating an inn, shop, etc, instead of a street number. 9 medicine any external evidence or indication of disease, perceptible to an examining doctor, etc. 10 a trail or track of a wild animal, perceptible to a tracker. 11 astrol any of the twelve parts of the zodiac, bearing the name of, but not coincident with, a constellation. verb (signed, signing) 1 tr & intr to give a signal or indication. 2 to write a signature on something; to confirm one's assent to something with a signature. 3 to write (one's name) as a signature • sign a cheque. 4 tr & intr to employ or become employed with the signing of a contract • Stoke City have signed a new player • Rush has signed for another team. 5 tr & intr to communicate using sign language. 6 to cross or make the sign of the cross over (oneself or someone else). See also sign of the cross. signer noun.
ETYMOLOGY: 13c: from French signe, from Latin signum.

sign something away to give it away or transfer it by signing a legally binding document.

sign in or out to record one's arrival or departure, eg at work, by signing one's name.

sign someone in to allow someone, usually a non-member, official entry to enter a club, society, etc by signing one's name.

sign off 1 to bring a broadcast to an end. 2 to remove oneself from the register of unemployed people. 3 to stop work, etc. 4 bridge to indicate that one does not intend to bid further.

sign someone off to dismiss them from employment.

sign on colloq 1 to register as unemployed. 2 to return fortnightly to an unemployment office to sign one's name as a formal declaration that one is still unemployed.

sign someone on to engage them, eg for work.

sign up 1 to enrol with an organization, especially the army. 2 to enrol for a task, outing, etc by signing a list. 3 to engage oneself for work by signing a contract.

sign someone up to engage them for work by signing a contract.