signing

Noun

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

language expressed by visible hand gesturesSynonyms: sign language

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Sign \Sign\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Signed; p. pr. & vb. n. Signing.] [OE. seinen to bless, originally, to make the sign of the cross over; in this sense fr. ASS. segnian (from segn, n.), or OF. seignier, F. signer, to mark, to sign (in sense 3), fr. L. signare to mark, set a mark upon, from signum. See Sign, n.]

1.To represent by a sign; to make known in a typical or emblematic manner, in distinction from speech; to signify. [1913 Webster]

I signed to Browne to make his retreat.— Sir W. Scott.[1913 Webster]

2.To make a sign upon; to mark with a sign. [1913 Webster]

We receive this child into the congregation of Christ's flock, and do sign him with the sign of the cross.— Bk. of Com Prayer.[1913 Webster]

3.To affix a signature to; to ratify by hand or seal; to subscribe in one's own handwriting. [1913 Webster]

Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed, And let him sign it.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

4.To assign or convey formally; -- used with away. [1913 Webster]

5.To mark; to make distinguishable. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

signing \sign"ing\ (s[imac]n"[i^]ng), n. [Participle of sign, sense 3.] The procedure or process of communicating by use of a sign language. [PJC]