See Also: signature(dictionary)
e-signature(dictionary)
key signature(dictionary)
signature(dictionary)
signature(medicine)
Digital Signature(law)
time signature(dictionary)
SIGNATURE, eccl(law)
signature tune(dictionary)
electronic signature(dictionary)

signature (iou)



signature noun & verb. M16.
[medieval Latin signatura sign manual (in late Latin a marking on sheep), from Latin signare SIGN verb.]
A. noun.
Scots Law. A document prepared by a writer to the signet, outlining and specifying the provenance of a royal grant, charter, etc. obsolete exc. Hist. M16.
A person's name, initials, or distinctive mark, used in signing a letter, document, etc. L16.
G. Gissing At the end of her letters came a signature..'Miriam Baske'.
b. The action of (authenticating a document by) signing one's name, initials, or distinctive mark. E17.
Independent Once that treaty, due for signature..was in place.
A distinguishing mark; spec. (now Hist.) the form, colouring, markings, etc., of a plant or animal, regarded as resembling or symbolizing the organ or disease for which it is effective. E17.
b. A stamp, an impression. M17.
c. Any typical physical or behavioural characteristic, pattern, or response, by which an object, substance, etc. may be identified. Also, a distinctive identifying feature incorporated into the work of an artist, designer, musician, etc. M20.
P. Brook The signature of the Brecht theatre, the white half-curtain. Nature Geochemical signatures indicate that heterotrophic bacteria were present in Proterozoic communities. Aircraft Illustrated Reduction of an aircraft's radar signature is now a paramount feature of military aircraft.
d. In full signature tune. A particular tune associated with and used esp. to introduce a particular performer or programme on television or radio. M20.
An image; a figure; an imitative mark. Now rare or obsolete. M17.
Printing.
a. A letter, figure, or combination of letters or figures, placed at the foot of one or more pages of each sheet of a book to show their order for binding. Abbreviation sig. M17.
b. A folded sheet, as distinguished by such a letter, figure, etc. E18.
Music. A sign or set of signs at the beginning of a piece or passage of music, indicating its key or time. See key signature s.v. KEY noun1 & adjective, time signature s.v. TIME noun. E19.
Directions for the use of a medication etc. given to a patient as part of a prescription. Chiefly US. M19.
b. verb trans.
Indicate symbolically; mark out, designate. M17-M18.
Put a signature on; esp. sign (a document), authenticate or confirm by one's signature. L19.
India Today Accords did get signatured.
signatureless adjective M19.
signaturist noun (rare, now Hist.) a person who subscribes to the theory of signatures in plants etc. M17.