Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Signal
1.
A sign made for the purpose of giving notice to a person of some occurence, command, or danger; also, a sign, event, or watchword, which has been agreed upon as the occasion of concerted action.
All obeyed
The wonted
Of this great potentate.
The wonted
signal
and superior voiceOf this great potentate.
Milton.
The weary sun . . .
Gives
Gives
signal
of a goodly day to-morrow. Shakespeare
There was not the least
signal
of the calamity to be seen. De Foc.
Sig′nal
,Adj.
[From
signal
, n.: cf. F. signalé
.] 1.
Noticeable; distinguished from what is ordinary; eminent; remarkable; memorable;
as, a
. signal
exploit; a signal
service; a signal
act of benevolenceAs
As erst in highest, behold him where he lies.
signal
now in low, dejected stateAs erst in highest, behold him where he lies.
Milton.
2.
Of or pertaining to signals, or the use of signals in conveying information;
as, a
. signal
flag or officerThe signal service
, a bureau of the government (in the United States connected with the War Department) organized to collect from the whole country simultaneous raports of local meteorological conditions, upon comparison of which at the central office, predictions concerning the weather are telegraphed to various sections, where they are made known by signals publicly displayed.
– Signal station
, the place where a signal is displayed; specifically, an observation office of the signal service.
Syn. – Eminent; remarkable; memorable; extraordinary; notable; conspicuous.
Sig′nal
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Signaled
or Signalled
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Signaling
or Signalling
.] 1.
To communicate by signals;
as, to
. signal
orders2.
To notify by a signals; to make a signal or signals to;
as, to
. signal
a fleet to anchorM. Arnold.
Webster 1828 Edition
Signal
SIG'NAL
,Noun.
Signals are particularly useful in the navigation of fleets and in naval engagements. There are day-signals, which are usually made by the sails, by flags and pendants, or guns; night-signals, which are lanterns disposed in certain figures, or false fires, rockets, or the firing of guns; fog-signals, which are made by sounds, as firing of guns, beating of drums, ringing of bells, &c. There are signals of evolution, addressed to a whole fleet, to a division or to a squadron; signals of movements to particular ships; and signals of service, general or particular. Signals used in an army are mostly made by a particular beat of the drum, or by the bugle.
SIG'NAL
,Adj.