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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary sig·ni·fy
\\ˈsig-nə-ˌfī\\ verb
(-fied ; -fy·ing) ETYMOLOGY Middle English signifien, from Anglo-French signifier, from Latin significare to indicate, signify, from signum sign DATE 13th century transitive verb1.
a. to be a sign of : mean
b. imply 2. to show especially by a conventional token (as word, signal, or gesture)intransitive verb1. to have significance : matter
it will not much signify what one wears — Jane Austen2. to engage in signifying signify
mid-13c., from O.Fr. signifier (12c.), from L. significare "to show by signs, mean, signify," from significus (adj.), from signum "sign" (see sign (n.)) + root of facere "to make" (see factitious). Intrans. sense of "to be of importance" is attested from 1660s. Meaning "engage in mock-hostile banter" is Amer.Eng. black slang first recorded 1932.
"...'signifying,' which in Harlemese means making a series of oblique remarks apparently addressed to no one in particular, but unmistakable in intention in such a close-knit circle." ["Down Beat," March 7, 1968] Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 signifysig·nify / 5si^nifai / verb ( sig·ni·fies, sig·ni·fy·ing, sig·ni·fied, sig·ni·fied) ( formal) 1. to be a sign of sth 表示；说明；预示
SYN mean :
▪ [VN]
This decision signified a radical change in their policies. 这个决定表明了他们的政策发生了根本的变化。
▪ [V that]
This mark signifies that the products conform to an approved standard. 这个标志说明这些产品符合指定的标准。
The white belt signifies that he's an absolute beginner. 白腰带表示他完全是个新手。2. to do sth to make your feelings, intentions, etc. known 表达,表示,显示(感情、意愿等):
▪ [VN]
She signified her approval with a smile. 她笑了笑表示赞同。
▪ [V that]
He nodded to signify that he agreed. 他点头表示同意。3. [V] (usually used in questions or negative sentences 通常用于疑问句或否定句) to be important or to matter 具有重要性；要紧:
His presence no longer signified. 他在不在场已不重要。 Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged sig·ni·fyI. \-ī\ verb
( -ed/-ing/-es) Etymology: Middle English signifien, from Old French signifier, from Latin significare, from signum sign, mark + -i- + -ficare -fy — more at sign transitive verb1.
a. : to be a sign of : mean , denote
< a well-proportioned voice that signified a sense of justice and compassion — Osbert Sitwell >
< sentences signify propositions >
< perfection … signifies the approaching end of an epoch — A.N.Whitehead >
< the name is derived from the Celtic alb, which by some is made to signify white, by others height — Marrion Wilcox >
b. : to bear as an inference or logical consequence : imply
< machinery signifies urgency — David Sylvester >2.
a. : to show or make known especially by a conventional token (as word, signal, gesture)
< signified his desire for another slice >
b. : announce , intimate
< signified his willingness to run for the office >3. obsolete : inform intransitive verb: to have meaning or significance : be of consequence : matter
< according to this interpretation, only economic relations signify — Times Literary Supplement >
< never mind, it doesn't signify >
< married to Vulcan or married to Mars, what does it signify — W.S.Gilbert >Synonyms: see mean II. intransitive verb : to engage in signifying
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