signal



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Signal \Sig"nal\, n. [F., fr. LL. signale, fr. L. signum. See
   Sign, n.]
   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.
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            All obeyed
            The wonted signal and superior voice
            Of this great potentate.              --Milton.
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   2. A token; an indication; a foreshadowing; a sign; anything
      taken as evidence of some process.
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            The weary sun . . .
            Gives signal of a goodly day to-morrow. --Shak.
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            There was not the least signal of the calamity to be
            seen.                                 --De Foc.
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   3. Hence: (Electronics) A measureable electrical quantity,
      such as voltage or current, that conveys information by
      varying in magnitude over time; as, the signals from the
      strongest commercial radio stations can be received over
      hundreds of miles.
      [PJC] Signal to noise ratio
.



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Signal \Sig"nal\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Signaled or Signalled;
   p. pr. & vb. n. Signaling or Signalling.]
   1. To communicate by signals; as, to signal orders.
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   2. To notify by a signals; to make a signal or signals to;
      as, to signal a fleet to anchor. --M. Arnold.
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.



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Signal \Sig"nal\, a. [From signal, n.: cf. F. signal['e].]
   1. Noticeable; distinguished from what is ordinary; eminent;
      remarkable; memorable; as, a signal exploit; a signal
      service; a signal act of benevolence.
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            As signal now in low, dejected state
            As erst in highest, behold him where he lies.
                                                  --Milton.
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   2. Of or pertaining to signals, or the use of signals in
      conveying information; as, a signal flag or officer.
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   The 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.
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   Syn: Eminent; remarkable; memorable; extraordinary; notable;
        conspicuous.
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