hand signaln.
/ˈhan(d) ˌsɪɡnl/, U.S. /ˈhæn(d) ˌsɪɡn(ə)l/ 1. A hand-held signalling device such as a flag or lamp, esp. used on a railway line; cf. signal n. 7. Now rare.Recorded earliest in attributive use.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > driving or operating a vehicle > [noun] > signal
hand signal1839
1839 P. Lecount Pract. Treat. Railways 285 Each of the following articles [belonging to railway policemen], namely..rattle, hand-signal flags, ground-signal flags, and crowbars.
1852 Aide-mémoire to Mil. Sci. III. 229 Hand signals, such as flags or lamps, green, red and white, are used.
1917 J. L. Cochrane Safety-first Train 23 Other exhibits included the electric torch and hand signals used by the patrolman on his beat for communicating..at a distance of several miles.
1978 G. M. Kichenside & A. Williams Brit. Railway Signalling (ed. 4) v. 59 As the train approaches the signalbox the signalman displays a steady green hand signal (flag by day, lamp by night) to the driver.
2. A manual gesture used to convey information or instructions; spec. a manual indication by a motorist or cyclist that he or she is about to turn, stop, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > gesturing or gesture > hand gesture > [noun]
sign manual1825
hand signal1862
shaka1978
1862 ‘The Druid’ Scott & Sebright iii. 171 He was obliged to employ a code of stick and hand signals to the boy.
1908 Auto 17 Oct. 1345/1 Fast driving, taking the wrong side of an obelisk, omitting hand signals, and noisy changing of gears.
1957 Boys' Life Oct. 95/2 By using word and hand signals, you will have taught him [sc. a dog] tricks of obedience.
1979 New Scientist 26 July 292/1 When a cyclist..intends to turn a corner, he or she gives a hand signal in the usual way.
2011 M. Groves Outback Life i. 7 This was before the invention of indicator lights and Dad would make his hand signals from the car when turning or stopping.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1839