Definition of "signal"

signal

/ˈsɪɡnəl/

noun
plural signals
1. A sequence of states representing an encoded message in a communication channel.
2. Any variation of a quantity or change in an entity over time that conveys information upon detection.
3. A sign made to give notice of some occurrence, command, or danger, or to indicate the start of a concerted action.
  Quotations
  All obeyed / The wonted signal and superior voice / Of this great potentate.
  1667, John Milton, “Book V”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], […]; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873,
4. An on-off light, semaphore, or other device used to give an indication to another person.
5. (of a radio, TV, telephone, internet, etc.) An electromagnetic action, normally a voltage that is a function of time, that conveys the information of the radio or TV program or of communication with another party.
6. An action, change or process done to convey information and thus reduce uncertainty.
7. A token; an indication; a foreshadowing; a sign.
  Quotations
  The weary sun […] / Gives signal of a goodly day to-morrow.
  c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act V, scene iii]
  There was not the least signal of the calamity to be seen.
  1722, Daniel Defoe, A Journal of the Plague Year
8. Useful information, as opposed to noise.
9. (computing, Unix) A simple interprocess communication used to notify a process or thread of an occurrence.
10. (biochemistry) A signalling interaction between cells
verb
third-person singular simple present signals, present participle (UK) signalling or (US) signaling, simple past and past participle (UK) signalled or (US) signaled
1. (transitive, intransitive) To indicate; to convey or communicate by a signal.
2. (transitive) To communicate with (a person or system) by a signal.
adjective
not comparable
1. Standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement.
  Quotations
  As ſignal now in low dejected ſtate, / As earſt in higheſt, behold him where he lies.
  1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […]”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J. M[acock] for John Starkey […], page 27
  But, setting this view aside, dishonorable would it be in the South were she willing to abandon to shame the memory of brave men who with signal personal disinterestedness warred in her behalf, though from motives, as we believe, so deplorably astray.
  1866, Herman Melville, Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War‎, Supplement

Definition of "signal"

signal

noun

Quotations

Quotations

verb

adjective

Quotations