signature
English meaning: Signature
Definition
A person's name, written by that person, used as identification or to signify approval of accompanying material, such as a legal contract.
Example
“The bank required his signature on every page of the contract.”
Another example: “The chef's signature dessert is a delicate lemon tart.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A neutral noun, most commonly a person's handwritten name used for identification or approval, and by extension a distinctive characteristic ('her signature dish'). In music it denotes time or key signatures. Increasingly used of digital signatures.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Medieval Latin 'signatura' (a sign, signing), from Latin 'signare' (to mark, sign), from 'signum' (mark); entered English in the 16th century.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- forge a signature
- digital signature
- signature dish
- time signature
- sign your signature
- signature style
Word Forms
signature (n); signatures (pl); sign (v); signatory (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B