第4个回答 2009-08-13
把下面的看懂你就知道了。
1.sign
noun, verb
noun
showing sth
[C, U] ~ (of sth)
~ (that ...) an event, an action, a fact, etc. that shows that sth exists, is happening or may happen in the future
Synonym: INDICATION
Headaches may be a sign of stress. ◆ There is no sign of John anywhere. ◆ Call the police at the first sign of trouble. ◆ The gloomy weather shows no sign of improving. ◆ Her work is showing some signs of improvement. ◆ The fact that he didn't say 'no' immediately is a good sign. ◆ If an interview is too easy, it's a sure sign that you haven't got the job. ◆ There was no sign of life in the house (= there seemed to be nobody there). ◆ There were no outward signs that anything was wrong.
for information / warning
[C] a piece of paper, wood or metal that has writing or a picture on it that gives you information, instructions, a warning, etc: a road / traffic sign ◆ a shop / pub sign ◆ The sign on the wall said 'Now wash your hands'. ◆ Follow the signs for the city centre.
movement / sound
[C] a movement or sound that you make to tell sb sth: He gave us a thumbs-up sign. ◆ She nodded as a sign for us to sit down. ◆ Three blasts on the whistle was the sign for visitors to leave. ◆ to make the sign of the cross (= an act of moving one hand in the shape of a cross, done by Christians to show respect for God or by a priest to bless sb/sth)
See also V-SIGN
symbol
[C] a mark used to represent sth, especially in mathematics: a plus / minus sign (+ / -) ◆ a pound / dollar sign (? / $)
star sign
[U] (informal) = STAR SIGN: What sign are you?
Idioms: a sign of the times something that you feel shows what things are like now, especially how bad they are: The increasing number of people owning guns is an alarming sign of the times.
verb
your name
to write your name on a document, letter, etc. to show that you have written it, that you agree with what it says, or that it is genuine: [V, VN] Sign here, please. ◆ Sign your name here, please. ◆ [VN] You haven't signed the letter. ◆ to sign a deal / contract / cheque ◆ The treaty was signed on 24 March. ◆ The player was signing autographs for a group of fans. ◆ [VN-N] He signed himself 'Jimmy'.
contract
to arrange for sb, for example a sports player or musician, to sign a contract agreeing to work for your company; to sign a contract agreeing to work for a company: [VN] United have just signed a new goalie. ◆ [V] He signed for United yesterday. ◆ The band signed with Virgin Records.
make movement / sound
~ (to sb) (to do sth) to make a request or tell sb to do sth by using a sign, especially a hand movement: [V to inf] The hotel manager signed to the porter to pick up my case. ◆ The police officer signed for us to stop. [also V that]
for deaf person
to use sign language to communicate with sb: [V] She learnt to sign to help her deaf child. ◆ [VN] An increasing number of plays are now being signed.
signer noun: the signers of the petition ◆ signers communicating information to deaf people
Idioms: signed and sealed
signed, sealed and delivered definite, because all the legal documents have been signed
sign on the dotted line (informal) to sign a document to show that you have agreed to buy sth or do sth: Just sign on the dotted line and the car is yours.
more at PLEDGE n.
Phrasal Verbs: sign sth<->away to lose your rights or property by signing a document
sign for sth to sign a document to show that you have received sth: Someone must sign for the package when we deliver it.
sign in / out
sign sb<->in / out to write your/sb's name when you arrive at or leave an office, a club, etc: All visitors must sign in on arrival. ◆ You must sign guests out when they leave the club.
sign off
(BrE) to end a letter: She signed off with 'Yours, Janet'.
to end a broadcast by saying goodbye or playing a piece of music
sign sth<->off to give your formal approval to sth, by signing your name
sign off on sth (AmE, informal) to express your approval of sth formally and definitely: The President hasn't signed off on this report.
sign on (BrE, informal) to sign a form stating that you are an unemployed person so that you can receive payment from the government
sign on / up
sign sb<->on / up to sign a form or contract which says that you agree to do a job or become a soldier; to persuade sb to sign a form or contract like this: He signed on for five years in the army. ◆ The company has signed up three top models for the fashion show.
sign sth<->over (to sb) to give your rights or property to sb else by signing a document: She has signed the house over to her daughter.
sign up (for sth) to arrange to do a course of study by adding your name to the list of people doing it
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WHICH WORD?
sign / signal
Sign and signal can be used with very similar meanings. Both words can mean a movement or sound made to tell someone something: Don't move until I give the sign/signal.
They can also both mean something that indicates that something exists or may happen, but a sign is usually something that you can find or see, while signal is used for something that is done intentionally or that suggests you should take some action: early signs of the disease ◆ the first signs of spring ◆ danger/warning signals ◆ Local people regarded the President's visit as a clear signal of his support.
With other meanings, only one of these words can be used: a road sign ◆ a dollar sign ◆ a faint radio signal ◆ The train waited while the signals were on red.
2.signal
noun, verb, adjective
noun
a movement or sound that you make to give sb information, instructions, a warning, etc.
Synonym: SIGN
a danger / warning / distress signal ◆ At an agreed signal they left the room. ◆ The siren was a signal for everyone to leave the building. ◆ When I give the signal, run! ◆ (AmE) All I get is a busy signal when I dial his number (= his phone is being used). ◆ hand signals (= movements that cyclists and drivers make with their hands to tell other people that they are going to stop, turn, etc.)
See also TURN SIGNAL
an event, an action, a fact, etc. that shows that sth exists or is likely to happen
Synonym: SIGN, INDICATION
The rise in inflation is a clear signal that the government's policies are not working. ◆ Chest pains can be a warning signal of heart problems. ◆ Reducing prison sentences would send the wrong signals to criminals.
a piece of equipment that uses different coloured lights to tell drivers to slow down, stop, etc., used especially on railways/railroads and roads: traffic signals ◆ a stop signal ◆ Delays are occurring as a result of signal failure on the northbound line.
a series of electrical waves that carry sounds, pictures or messages, for example to a radio or television: TV signals ◆ a high frequency signal ◆ a sound / radio / radar signal ◆ to detect / pick up signals ◆ to emit a signal ◆ The satellite is used for transmitting signals around the world.
verb (-ll-, AmE -l-)
~ (to sb) to make a movement or sound to give sb a message, an order, etc: [V] Don't fire until I signal. ◆ Did you signal before you turned right? ◆ He signalled to the waiter for the bill. ◆ The patrolman signalled for her to stop. ◆ [VN] The referee signalled a foul. ◆ [V (that)] She signalled (that) it was time to leave. ◆ [V to inf] He signalled to us to join him. ◆ [VN to inf] She signalled him to follow. ◆ [V wh-] You must signal which way you are going to turn.
[VN] to be a sign that sth exists or is likely to happen: This announcement signalled a clear change of policy. ◆ The scandal surely signals the end of his political career.
to do sth to make your feelings or opinions known: [VN] He signalled his discontent by refusing to vote. ◆ [V (that)] She has signalled (that) she is willing to stand as a candidate.
adjective [only before noun] (formal) important: a signal success / honour ◆ a signal failure of leadership
signally adverb: They have signally failed to keep their election promises.