Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Signify
Sig′ni-fy
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Signified
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Signifying
.] 1.
To show by a sign; to communicate by any conventional token, as words, gestures, signals, or the like; to announce; to make known; to declare; to express;
as, a
. signified
his desire to be presentI ’ll to the king; and
That thus I have resign'd my charge to you.
signify
to himThat thus I have resign'd my charge to you.
Shakespeare
The government should
signify
to the Protestants of Ireland that want of silver is not to be remedied. Swift.
2.
To mean; to import; to denote; to betoken.
He bade her tell him what it
signified
. Chaucer.
A tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying
nothing. Shakespeare
☞ Signify is often used impersonally; as, it signifies nothing, it does not signify, that is, it is of no importance.
Syn. – To express; manifest; declare; utter; intimate; betoken; denote; imply; mean.
Webster 1828 Edition
Signify
SIG'NIFY
,Verb.
T.
1.
To make known something, either by signs or words; to express or communicate to another any idea, thought, wish, a hod, wink, gesture, signal or other sign. A man signifies his mind by his voice or by written characters; he may signify his mind by a nod or other motion, provided the person to whom he directs it, understands what is intend by it. A general or an admiral signifies his commands by signals to officers as a distance.2.
To mean; to have or contain a certain sense. The word sabbath signifies rest. Less, in composition, as in faithless, signifies destitution or want. The prefix re, in recommend, seldom signifies any thing.3.
To import; to weigh; to have consequence; used in particular phrases; as, it signifies much or little; it signifies nothing. What does it signify? What signify the splendors of a court? Confession of sin without reformation of life, can signify nothing in the view of God.4.
To make known; to declare. The government should signify to the protestants of Ireland that want of silver is not to be remedied.Definition 2024
signify
signify
English
Verb
signify (third-person singular simple present signifies, present participle signifying, simple past and past participle signified)
- To give (something) a meaning or an importance.
- To show one’s intentions with a sign etc.
- (Can we date this quote?) William Shakespeare
- I'll to the king; and signify to him / That thus I have resign'd my charge to you.
- (Can we date this quote?) Jonathan Swift
- The government should signify to the Protestants of Ireland that want of silver is not to be remedied.
- (Can we date this quote?) William Shakespeare
- To mean; to betoken.
- (Can we date this quote?) William Shakespeare
- A tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying nothing.
- (Can we date this quote?) William Shakespeare
Synonyms
Derived terms
Derived terms
Translations
to give something a meaning