Signal - Dictionary Definition and Overview

Signal :  adj : notably out of the ordinary; "the year saw one signal triumph for the Labour party" (noun)
1: any communication that encodes a message; "signals from the boat suddenly stopped" [syn: signaling, sign]
2: any incitement to action; "he awaited the signal to start"; "the victory was a signal for wild celebration"
3: an electric quantity (voltage or current or field strength) whose modulation represents coded information about the source from which it comes (verb)
1: communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs; "He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture"; "The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu" [syn: sign, signalize, signalise]
2: be a signal for or a symptom of; "These symptoms indicate a serious illness"; "Her behavior points to a severe neurosis"; "The economic indicators signal that the euro is undervalued" [syn: bespeak, betoken, indicate, point]

Based on WordNet 2.0

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.

All obeyed The wonted signal and superior voice Of this great potentate. --Milton.

2. A token; an indication; a foreshadowing; a sign.

The weary sun . . . Gives signal of a goodly day to-morrow. --Shak.

There was not the least signal of the calamity to be seen. --De Foc.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

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.

2. To notify by a signals; to make a signal or signals to; as, to signal a fleet to anchor. --M. Arnold.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Signal : \Sig"nal\, a. [Based on 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.

As signal now in low, dejected state As erst in highest, behold him where he lies. --Milton.

2. Of or pertaining to signals, or the use of signals in conveying information; as, a signal flag or officer.

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.

Syn: Eminent; remarkable; memorable; extraordinary; notable; conspicuous.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Signal : 

A synchronous language by Le Guernic et al of INRIA.

["SIGNAL - A Data Flow-Oriented Language for Signal Processing," P. le Guernic, IEEE Trans Acoustics Speech & Signal Proc, ASSP-34(2):362-1986-04-374].

(1996-12-10)



Based on the Online Dictionary of Computing [Computer_Dictionary]:

Signal : 

A predefined message sent between two Unix processes or from the kernel to a process. Signals communicate the occurrence of unexpected external events such as the forced termination of a process by the user. Each signal has a unique number associated with it and each process has a signal handler set for each signal. Signals can be sent using the kill system call.

(1996-12-10)



Based on the Online Dictionary of Computing [Computer_Dictionary]:

Example Usage of Signal

SuccessAtLarge: Turn Signals..if you have them, especially if you use them, they are meant to Signal "intent", not "accomplishment". Thanks!
groundlessnfree: @NFL NFLNetwork Signal is breaking in and out, but every other Comcast station is fine. As a Ravens fan I'm probably better off not watching
earthhourUS: @WWFUS blog Senators Send Strong Signal to Copenhagen http://bit.ly/7lhAgt #wwf #climate
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