Tra từ sign - Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

sign [sign signs signed signing] noun, verb BrE [saɪn] NAmE [saɪn]
noun

SHOWING STH
1. countable, uncountable an event, an action, a fact, etc. that shows that sth exists, is happening or may happen in the future
Syn: ↑indication
•~ (of sth/sb) Headaches may be a sign of stress.
• There is no sign of John anywhere.
•Call the police at the first sign of trouble.
•There was no sign of life in the house (= there seemed to be nobody there).
•Her work is showing some signs of improvement.
•~ (of doing sth) The gloomy weather shows no sign of improving.
•The fact that he didn't say ‘no’ immediately is a good sign.
•~ (that…) If an interview is too easy, it's a sure sign that you haven't got the job.
•There were no outward signs that anything was wrong.
•If I had noticed the warning signs, none of this would have happened.

FOR INFORMATION/WARNING
2. countable 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
3. countable a movement or sound that you make to tell sb sth
• He gave 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
4. countable a mark used to represent sth, especially in mathematics
•a plus/minus sign (+/−)
•a dollar/pound sign ($/£)

STAR SIGN
5. countable (informal) = ↑star sign
•What sign are you?

Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French signe (noun), signer (verb), from Latin signum ‘mark, token’.

Thesaurus:
sign noun
1. C, U
•Headaches may be a sign of stress.
indication • • signal • • symptom • • mark • • pointer • • hint • • clue • • trace • • suggestion • • symbol • |especially business indicator • |especially journalism hallmark •
a/an sign/indication/signal/symptom/mark/hint/trace/suggestion/symbol/indicator/hallmark of sth
a/an sign/indication/signal/symptom/hint/suggestion/indicator that…
have (the) signs/symptoms/marks/traces/hallmarks of sth
Sign, indication or signal? An indication often comes in the form of sth that sb says; a sign is usually sth that happens or sth that sb does. Signal is often used for sth that suggests to sb that they should do sth. Sign is not usually used in this way:
•Reducing prison sentences would send the wrong signals to criminals.
✗ Reducing prison sentences would send the wrong signs to criminals.
2. C
•Follow the signs for the Arts Centre.
board • • plaque • • notice • • plate •
on a sign/board/plaque/notice/plate
put up/see/read a sign/board/plaque/notice/plate
a sign/board/plaque/notice/plate appears/goes up
Sign or notice? A notice always gives its information in words; a sign often uses pictures or symbols:
•a road/traffic/shop/pub sign
✗ a road/traffic/shop/pub notice
3. C (used in compounds)
•a plus/minus/sign
symbol • • mark • |formal technical character •
the sign/symbol/character for sth
a sign/symbol/character means/indicates sth
Sign or symbol? A symbol usually refers to a shape or small picture, or the letters representing chemical elements. A sign is usually sth more simple, such as a dollar sign.

Synonyms:
sign
indication • symptom • symbol • indicator • signal
These are all words for an event, action or fact that shows that sth exists, is happening or may happen in the future.
sign • an event, action or fact that shows that sth exists, is happening or may happen in the future: ▪ Headaches may be a sign of stress.
indication • (rather formal) a remark or sign that shows that sth is happening or what sb is thinking or feeling: ▪ They gave no ▪ indication as to ▪ how the work should be done.
sign or indication?
An indication often comes in the form of sth that sb says; a sign is usually sth that happens or sth that sb does.
symptom • a change in your body or mind that shows that you are not healthy; a sign that sth exists, especially sth bad: ▪ Symptoms include a sore throat. ◇ ▪ The rise in inflation was just one symptom of the poor state of the economy.
symbol • a person, object or event that represents a more general quality or situation: ▪ The dove is a universal symbol of peace.
indicator • (rather formal) a sign that shows you what sth is like or how a situation is changing: ▪ the economic indicators
signal • an event, action or fact that shows that sth exists, is happening or may happen in the future: ▪ Chest pains can be a warning signal of heart problems.
sign or signal?
Signal is often used to talk about an event, action or fact that suggests to sb that they should do sth. Sign is not usually used in this way: Reducing prison sentences would send the wrong signs to criminals.
a(n) sign/indication/symptom/symbol/indicator/signal of sth
a(n) sign/indication/symptom/indicator/signal that…
a clear sign/indication/symptom/symbol/indicator/signal
an obvious sign/indication/symptom/symbol/indicator
an early sign/indication/symptom/indicator/signal
an outward sign/indication/symbol
to give a(n) sign/indication/signal

Example Bank:
•All the outward signs of growth in the market are there.
•All the signs pointed to it being more than just a coincidence.
•Are appliances you buy safe? We point out the danger signs.
•Bravo Two Zero was the call sign of an eight-man SAS team.
•By now the fish was showing signs of distress.
•Early signs point to business improving.
•Follow the road and you'll see signs for the turn-off.
•Get this test if you have signs and symptoms of diabetes.
•He disappeared at the first sign of trouble.
•He displayed the classic signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.
•He drew a huge dollar sign on the paper.
•He gets $300 a week from the union for carrying a picket sign.
•He ignored the warning signs of mounting health problems.
•He might as well have been wearing a sign saying ‘I am a tourist’.
•He spoke up without the slightest sign of nervousness.
•He was silent. It was a good sign.
•He yelled at us for ignoring the stop sign.
•His face betrayed no sign of emotion.
•I can't remember the sign for ‘square root’.
•I detected the subtle signs of disapproval.
•I hope this incident isn't a sign of things to come.
•I put out a lawn sign in my yard.
•I used the Chinese sign for ‘father’ instead of ‘uncle’.
•It's a real sign of the times: 30 small businesses face financial ruin this month.
•Just follow the signs for Bridgend.
•Look carefully for signs of damp.
•Mars rules the zodiac sign of Aries.
•She checked his vital signs and found that his pulse was slow.
•She gave me a thumbs-up sign.
•She made a peace sign while having her picture taken.
•Some of the marchers were holding up signs and placards.
•Someone had put up a ‘For Sale’ sign.
•Strong dislikes of foods are early signs of pregnancy.
•Strong likes or dislikes of various foods are another of the early signs of pregnancy.
•The demonstrators shouted and waved signs.
•The first signs of spring appeared.
•The lack of interest in the media is a telling sign of the industry's health.
•The murder had all the signs of a crime of passion.
•The people regarded the earthquake as a sign from God.
•The priest made the sign of the cross over the dead body.
•The sign pointed down a narrow road.
•The sign read ‘No Fishing’.
•The warning signs were present from the start.
•The wizard drew some strange signs in the air with his wand.
•There was no sign of life in the house.
•There's no sign of the snow stopping.
•They had to communicate through signs and grunts.
•This move will be seen as a sign of weakness.
•This sign indicates that cycling is allowed.
•We detected signs that they were less than enthusiastic about the holiday.
•We used sign language to talk.
•What does this sign mean?
•a T-shirt with a peace sign on it
•hundreds of signs bearing the single word ‘Peace’
•people born under the sign of Gemini
•signs warning against trespass
•the sign for ‘woman’ in sign language
•the telltale signs of drug abuse
•the twelve astrological signs
•A man was up a ladder mending a shop sign.
•A sign on the wall said ‘Now wash your hands’.
•All the road signs are in both languages.
•Follow the signs for the Performing Arts Centre.
•If an interview is too easy, it's a sure sign that you haven't got the job.
•The fact that he didn't say ‘no’ immediately is a good sign.
•a V-sign
•a plus/minus sign
•a pound/dollar sign
Idioms: ↑sign of the times ▪ ↑sign on the dotted line ▪ ↑signed and sealed ▪ ↑signed, sealed and delivered
Derived Word: ↑signer
Derived: ↑sign for something ▪ ↑sign in ▪ ↑sign off ▪ ↑sign off on something ▪ ↑sign on ▪ ↑sign somebody in ▪ ↑sign somebody on ▪ ↑sign something away ▪ ↑sign something off ▪ ↑sign something over ▪ ↑sign up ▪ ↑sign up to something

verb

YOUR NAME
1. intransitive, transitive 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
• Sign here, please.
•~ sth Sign your name here, please.
•You haven't signed the letter.
•to sign a cheque
•The treaty was signed on 24 March.
•The player was signing autographs for a group of fans.
•~ yourself + noun He signed himself ‘Jimmy’.

CONTRACT
2. transitive, intransitive 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
•~ sb United have just signed a new goalie.
•~ for sth He signed for United yesterday.
•~ with sth The band signed with Virgin Records.

MAKE MOVEMENT/SOUND
3. intransitive, transitive ~ (to/for sb) (to do sth) | ~ that… to make a request or tell sb to do sth by using a sign, especially a hand movement
Syn: ↑signal
•The hotel manager signed to the porter to pick up my case.
•The police officer signed for us to stop.

FOR DEAF PERSON
4. intransitive, transitive to use sign language to communicate with sb
•She learnt to sign to help her deaf child.
•~ sth An increasing number of plays are now being signed.
more at sign/take the pledge at ↑pledge _n.
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French signe (noun), signer (verb), from Latin signum ‘mark, token’.

Example Bank:
•One copy of this letter should be duly signed and returned to us.
•The courier asked me to sign for the parcel.
•This is the contract you will be required to sign.
•You can sign up online for language classes.
•a first edition of the book, personally signed by the author
•He signed his troops to move out.
•He signed with the San Francisco 49ers.
•The manager signed to the porter to pick up my case.
•The team has just signed a new goalkeeper.
•You haven't signed the letter.