Signature

Signature
Signature Sig"na*ture, n. [F. (cf. It. signatura, segnatura, Sp. & LL. signatura), from L. signare, signatum. See {Sign}, v. t.] 1. A sign, stamp, or mark impressed, as by a seal. [1913 Webster]

The brain, being well furnished with various traces, signatures, and images. --I. Watts. [1913 Webster]

The natural and indelible signature of God, which human souls . . . are supposed to be stamped with. --Bentley. [1913 Webster]

2. Especially, the name of any person, written with his own hand, employed to signify that the writing which precedes accords with his wishes or intentions; a sign manual; an autograph. [1913 Webster]

3. (Physiol.) An outward mark by which internal characteristics were supposed to be indicated. [1913 Webster]

Some plants bear a very evident signature of their nature and use. --Dr. H. More. [1913 Webster]

4. (Old Med.) A resemblance between the external characters of a disease and those of some physical agent, for instance, that existing between the red skin of scarlet fever and a red cloth; -- supposed to indicate this agent in the treatment of the disease. [1913 Webster]

5. (Mus.) The designation of the key (when not C major, or its relative, A minor) by means of one or more sharps or flats at the beginning of the staff, immediately after the clef, affecting all notes of the same letter throughout the piece or movement. Each minor key has the same signature as its relative major. [1913 Webster]

6. (Print.) (a) A letter or figure placed at the bottom of the first page of each sheet of a book or pamphlet, as a direction to the binder in arranging and folding the sheets. (b) The printed sheet so marked, or the form from which it is printed; as, to reprint one or more signatures. [1913 Webster]

Note: Star signatures (as A*, 1*) are the same characters, with the addition of asterisks, used on the first pages of offcuts, as in 12mo sheets. [1913 Webster]

7. (Pharm.) That part of a prescription which contains the directions to the patient. It is usually prefaced by S or Sig. (an abbreviation for the Latin signa, imperative of signare to sign or mark). [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • signature — [ siɲatyr ] n. f. • 1430; lat. médiév. signatura, du lat. class. signator « signataire » 1 ♦ Inscription qu une personne fait de son nom (sous une forme particulière et constante) pour affirmer l exactitude, la sincérité d un écrit ou en assumer… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • signature — sig‧na‧ture [ˈsɪgnətʆə ǁ ər] noun 1. [countable] BANKING your name written in the way you usually write it, for example at the end of a letter or on a cheque. It is often used to give official or legal permission for something: • I couldn t read… …   Financial and business terms

  • signature — sig·na·ture n 1 a: the act of signing one s name or of making a mark in lieu thereof b: the name of a person written with his or her own hand to signify that the writing which precedes accords with his or her wishes or intentions c: any mark (as… …   Law dictionary

  • signature — Signature. s. f. Le sein de quelqu un apposé à une lettre, à un contract. Je connois sa signature. il y a vingt signatures à ce contract. c est un habile faussaire, il contrefait toutes les signatures. cette signature est fausse. mettre un arrest …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • signature — [sig′nə chər] n. [LL signatura < L signare: see SIGNATORY] 1. a person s name written by that person; also, a representation of this in a mark, stamp, deputy s handwriting, etc. 2. the act of signing one s name 3. an identifying characteristic …   English World dictionary

  • signature — ► NOUN 1) a person s name written in a distinctive way as a form of identification or authorization. 2) the action of signing something. 3) a distinctive product or characteristic by which someone or something can be identified. 4) Music a key… …   English terms dictionary

  • Signature — Sig na*ture, v. t. To mark with, or as with, a signature or signatures. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • signature — 1530s, a kind of document in Scottish law, from M.Fr. signature (16c.), from M.L. signatura sign, in classical L. the matrix of a seal, from signatus, pp. of signare to mark, sign (see SIGN (Cf. sign)). Meaning one s own name written in one s own …   Etymology dictionary

  • Signature — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Signature (homonymie). La signature de John Hancock est l une des plus remarquables de la Déclaration d indépendance des États Unis d Amérique …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Signature — A signature (from Latin signare , sign ) is a handwritten (and sometimes stylized) depiction of someone s name, nickname or even a simple X that a person writes on documents as a proof of identity and intent. The writer of a signature is a… …   Wikipedia

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