sign

1.a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened);

he showed signs of strain

2.a public display of a (usually written) message;

he posted signs in all the shop windows

3.any communication that encodes a message;

signals from the boat suddenly stopped

4.structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted;

the highway was lined with signboards

5.(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided

6.(medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease;

there were no signs of asphixiation

7.having an indicated pole (as the distinction between positive and negative electric charges);

he got the polarity of the battery reversed

8.an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come;

he hoped it was an augury

9.a gesture that is part of a sign language

10. a fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified;

The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary--de Saussure

11. a character indicating a relation between quantities;

don't forget the minus sign

12.used of the language of the deaf

1.mark with one's signature; write one's name (on);

She signed the letter and sent it off

2.approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation;

All parties ratified the peace treaty

3.be engaged by a written agreement;

He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18

4.engage by written agreement;

They signed two new pitchers for the next season

5.communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs;

He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture

6.place signs, as along a road;

sign an intersection

7.communicate in sign language;

I don't know how to sign, so I could not communicate with my deaf cousin

8.make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate