signetn.

Brit.

/ˈsɪɡnᵻt/, U.S.

/ˈsɪɡnᵻt/

Forms: Middle English singnet, Middle English sugnet, Middle English sygnnet, Middle English syngnete, Middle English syngnettez (plural), Middle English syngnettys (plural), Middle English–1500s signeth, Middle English–1500s signette, Middle English–1500s sygnet, Middle English–1600s signett, Middle English–1600s sygnett, Middle English– signet, 1500s sigenett, 1500s signete, 1500s sygnete; Scottish pre-1700 segnat, pre-1700 segnettis (plural), pre-1700 seignet, pre-1700 sengnet, pre-1700 signat, pre-1700 signete, pre-1700 signett, pre-1700 signit, pre-1700 singnet, pre-1700 sygnet, pre-1700 syngnet, pre-1700 1700s– signet. N.E.D. (1910) also records a form late Middle English sygnat.

Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French signet.

Etymology: < Anglo-Norman and Middle French signet, seignet, Middle French segnet (French signet , now chiefly in sense ‘bookmark in the form of a ribbon sewn into a volume’) small seal employed for formal or official purposes (c1280 in Old French as sinet sinet n.; in Anglo-Norman also (specifically) the seal officially used by the sovereigns of England and Scotland (frequently from 14th cent. or earlier in English and Scottish official documents), stamp or impression of a seal (14th cent.), identifying or distinguishing mark, characteristic (late 14th cent.) < signe sign n. + -et -et suffix¹. Compare post-classical Latin signetum small seal (frequently from 1281 in British sources; from 14th cent. in continental sources), royal seal (frequently from 1366 in British sources; frequently from a1372 in Scottish sources), Old Occitan senhet (13th cent.), signet (15th cent.), Italian segnetto (late 14th cent.), and also ( < Latin or French) Middle Dutch, Dutch signet, Middle Low German signēt.In sense 4, which is not paralleled in French, probably by association with signal n. In sense 5 short for signet ring n.

a. A small seal employed for formal or official purposes instead of, or in addition to, a signature to give authentication or authority to a document for formal or official purposes. Also figurative.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > indication > marking > imprinting > sealing > [noun] > seal

inseila1000

seal1258

signet1384

chop1614

sigillation1642

sealing1904

society > communication > indication > marking > imprinting > sealing > [noun] > engraved stamp used for > for official use

signet1384

1384 in J. Slater Early Scots Texts (Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Edinb.) (1952) No. 5 In the witnes of the wische thinges..the..Erle of Northumbre & the Lord of Galleway has set thair signetz enterchangeably in absens of thair selles.

?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 54 (MED) I hadde lettres of the Soudan with his grete seel, & comounly oþer men han but his signett.

1428 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 83 (MED) Þerto I point my signet and my syne manuell.

1459 Draft Will of John Fastolf in Paston Lett. (1904) III. 155 Doutyng that summe of the forseyd sealys of armys or sygnettes remayne stille amonges myn officeres.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Kings xxi. 8 She wrote a letter vnder Achabs name, and sealed it with his signet.

1561 in A. Macdonald & J. Dennistoun Misc. Maitland Club (1843) III. ii. 283 Gewyn vnder ye Superintendentis signet and subscripsion at Sanctandrois.

1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 46 Euery house of Quality, Magazen and Monastery were sealed vp, with the Signets of the Duke and Merchants.

1658 L. Willan Orgula iii. ii. 45 My Signet perfectly agrees with this, And may without a blemish it [sc. a letter] reclose.

1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. i. i. 15 His Excellency..producing his Credentials under the Signet Royal..spoke.

1744 E. Young Complaint: Night the Seventh 14 In Man the more we dive, the more we see Heav'n's Signet stamping an immortal Make.

1821 Ld. Byron Sardanapalus i. ii. 22 Empower me with thy signet To quell the machinations.

1839 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece VII. 61 In packages sealed with his own signet.

1882 Trans. Leics. Archit. & Archæol. Soc. 5 App. 146 Sealed with the borough signet.

1909 Libr. Southern Lit. II. 488 Bench and Bar with her signet have sealed.

1995 D. Brin Brightness Reef (1996) 243 Uriel already sent messages to our parents, calligraphed on heavy cloth paper and sealed with her signet as a sage of the Commons.

b. spec. The seal originally used by the sovereigns of England and Scotland for private purposes, and later used on behalf of the sovereign to authenticate royal warrants and other official documents. Also: the authority of the signet. More fully royal (also King's, Queen's) signet. Frequently in under the signet and variants. Now chiefly historical.Clerk of the Signet: see clerk n. Compounds 2. Keeper of the Signet: see Keeper of the Signet n. at keeper n. 1c. Writer to the Signet: see writer n. Phrases 2.

(a) In English contexts.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > indication > marking > imprinting > sealing > [noun] > seal > official or sovereign

green waxa1350

secret seal1378

privy seal1410

signet1410

Great Seal1419

private seal1440

common seal1449

cocket1451

privy signet1477

half-seal1509

targec1510

broad seal1550

1410 in Speculum (1939) 14 25 (MED) In witnesse of which thynge oure forsaide soverain lord the kynge hath so set to this present Instruccion his prive seal and his signet also.

?1417 in E. Déprez Études de Diplomatique Anglaise (1908) 100 Yeven, under owr signet, atte owr castel of Touque, ye xii day of aoust.

c1475 in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (Harl. 642) (1790) 35 (MED) To this office are belonging iiii clerks, sufficiaunt writers of the Kings signet under the seide Secretary.

1520 Clerical Subsidies (P.R.O. 64/299 B) The kinges moost honorable lettres of placcarde dated under his signet.

1578 in A. Feuillerat Documents Office of Revels Queen Elizabeth (1908) 300 For the privie seale and the signet for the Revells money.

1602 in F. Moryson Itinerary (1617) ii. 150 Given under our Signet..in the fortie three yeere of Our Raigne.

a1639 D. Digges Compl. Ambassador (1655) 17 Given under our signet at our Honour of Hampton Court.

1725 Daily Post 15 May His Majesty hath been graciously pleased, by a Warrant under his Royal Signet and Sign Manual, to approve [etc.].

1779 F. Maseres Canad. Freeholder II. 277 The instructions under the signet and sign-manual ought only to contain directions to his Majesty's governours.

1825 Addit. Instr. to Lord Charles Somerset in G. M. Theal Rec. Cape Colony (1904) XX. 7 The Instructions under the Royal Signet and Sign Manual.

1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. iii. vi. 669 The King's signet, used in sealing all grants superscribed by the Royal sign-manual.

1939 J. Otway-Ruthven King's Secretary iii. 39 The signet warrants to the privy seal merely order the issue of warrants..and this use of the signet was never seriously opposed.

1997 K. Fincham in N. Tyacke Hist. Univ. Oxf. IV. iv. 208 At Oxford, in contrast to Cambridge, very few mandates under the signet were issued after 1633.

(b) In Scottish contexts.In later use serving as the seal of the Court of Session.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > indication > marking > imprinting > sealing > [noun] > seal > official or sovereign > in Scotland

signet1433

1433 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 390 Vrittin under our seignet, at Striuelyn, the xvi day of Mars, and of our regne twenty and aucht yer.

1483 in G. Neilson & H. Paton Acts Lords of Council Civil Causes (1918) II. Introd. p. cxxxi The schireffis of Forfar..to summond..the personis..in a portous under the signet, to compere befor our soverane lord [etc.].

1513–14 in R. K. Hannay Acts Lords of Council Public Affairs (1932) 10 He that kepit the signet.

1561 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 186 And ordanis the signet to ansuer lettres upoun his deliverance.

?1661 in L. B. Taylor Aberdeen Council Lett. (1954) IV. 178 We desyr yow to wait upon the signet and advertise us against quhom and quhat persons to raise lawburrowes.

1708 J. Chamberlayne Magnæ Britanniæ Notitia (1710) 667 The Keepers and other Officers of the Queens Signet.

1765–8 J. Erskine Inst. Law Scotl. i. iii. §39 When the signet is mentioned indefinitely, that of the session is commonly understood; which is also called the King's signet.

1838 W. Bell Dict. Law Scotl. 99 The Royal Signet in Scotland is placed under the direction and control of the Judges of the Court of Session.

1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xiii. 350 The Parliament..assumed the power of stopping the signet, in other words, of suspending the whole administration of justice.

1946 A. D. Gibb Students' Gloss. Sc. Legal Terms 17 These [sc. general charge, special charge, and general-special charge] being writs under the signet for compelling heirs in heritage to take up or renounce the succession.

1999 J. Goodare State & Society in Early Mod. Scotl. vii. 234 More government was a matter of parliamentary statutes, tax demands, royal letters under the signet, and litigation in the court of session.

a. The stamp or impression of a seal, esp. one made in wax and affixed to a document as evidence of its authenticity.

ΚΠ

c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Royal) (1850) Apoc. v. 2 Who is worthi for to opene the boke, and for to vnbynde the signetes [L. signacula] of it?

c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 837 Lesande þe boke with leuez sware, Þere seuen syngnettez wern sette in-seme.

1476 in T. Thomson Acts Lords Auditors (1839) 42/1 The said James fraudefully..denyit his awne hand & his signet of the said obligatioun.

1559 in J. Stuart Rec. Monastery Kinloss (1872) 150 To thir our Literis of Bailziaries..our signet is affixed.

1586 in Juridical Rev. (1892) 4 119 My signet of office thereto affixt.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iv. ii. 194 Heere is the hand and Seale of the Duke: you know the Charracter I doubt not, and the Signet is not strange to you?

1690 J. Dryden Don Sebastian v. 120 Your Fathers hand: Firm'd with his Signet.

1701 G. Stanhope tr. St. Augustine Pious Breathings 249 Let me wear thee upon my heart as a signet.

1746 W. Dunkin tr. Horace in P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Epistles ii. ii. 202 Although the Felon's Fork Defac'd the Signet of a Bottle-Cork.

1821 W. Scott Kenilworth III. xvi. 321 ‘See, here is his signet, in token of his instant and pressing commands.’ ‘It is false!’ said the Countess; ‘thou hast stolen the warrant.’

1885 Mme. de Sanctis Reynard Fox 13 Reynard came to the gates dressed like a pilgrim, and bearing a sealed letter. When I saw it was your Majesty's signet, I received him.

1960 A. Duggan Family Favourites v. 84 ‘My Lord,’ he said, ‘this bears the personal signet of the Praetorian Praefect.’

2004 L. D. Estleman Port Hazard xii. 106 She frowned at the signet on the crimson seal.

b. figurative. An identifying or authenticating mark, sign, stamp, etc.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > indication > that which identifies or distinguishes > [noun]

tokenc1000

distinctionc1374

differencea1398

signeta1425

knowledge?c1475

smell?a1505

markc1522

badge1529

note1583

impress1590

monument1590

type1595

stamp1600

pressure1604

mintage1612

criterion1613

impressa1628

differencer1633

lineament1638

mole1644

discrimination1646

tessera1647

diagnostic1651

monumental1657

discretive1660

signate1662

footmark1666

trait1752

memorandum1766

fingerprint1792

insignia1796

identifier1807

designative1824

cachet1840

differentiator1854

tanga1867

trademark1869

signature1873

totem1875

differential1883

earmarkings1888

paw print1894

discriminator1943

ident1952

a1425 (c1384) Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Corpus Oxf.) (1850) Ezek. xxviii. 12 Thou, a signet of liknes [a1425 L.V. preente of licnesse; L. signaculum similitudinis], ful of wisdam, perfijt in fayrnes, was in delicis of paradise of God.

c1450 (c1415) in W. O. Ross Middle Eng. Serm. (1940) 258 (MED) Þou knawiþ well, Gabriell, þat my signet is my speciall grace, þe wiche I marke with my choson children fro þo þat be repreved.

1567 T. Harding Reioindre to M. Iewels Replie against Masse f. 9^v With vs is the signet of Circumcision, the hallowing of the holy Ointements, the Consecration of Priestes.

1651 J. Cleveland Poems (Wing C4684) 2 Love prints her Signets in her smacks, Those Ruddy drops of squeezing wax.

1662 J. Owen Animadv. Fiat Lux xx, in Wks. (1851) XIV. 162 The time will come when this Platonical Signet [sc. the theory of purgatory]..shall be utterly exterminated out of the confines of the church of God.

1763 E. Thompson Temple of Venus i. 18 This Quean withdrawn, a Quaker in belief, Appeared in horns, the signet of his grief, Declar'd his Wife a carnal act had done, as never yet appear'd before the Sun.

1780 W. Hayley Ess. on Hist. iii. 77 Let Truth's undoubted signet seal his page, And Glory guard the work from age to age!

1814 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision III. xi. 100 [St Francis] from Christ Took the last signet, which his limbs two years Did carry.

1852 N. Hawthorne Blithedale Romance xviii. 187 I fancied that this smile..was the devil's signet on the Professor.

1902 A. M. Huffington God's Truth 435 And Thou shall be a signet Unto this nation sealed.

1999 A. Quéma Agon of Modernism x. 197 Something occurred that compelled Lewis to redefine what constituted the signet of his style.

3. A seal, usually set in a ring, regarded as an item of jewellery and featuring distinctive lettering or a design. Also: a ring to which such a seal is fixed (cf. signet ring n. 1).

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > indication > marking > imprinting > sealing > [noun] > engraved stamp used for

inseila1000

seala1300

lead1340

signet1392

sinetc1440

jark1567

cashet1609

sigila1610

ring1637

cacheta1639

signet ring1726

cylinder seal1887

1392 in J. Raine Testamenta Eboracensia (1836) I. 177 Lego..j anulum aureum ad modum unius signeth cum hoc nomine, ‘ihc’.

?1435 in C. L. Kingsford Chrons. London (1905) 23 (MED) Opynly he toke off his ffyngir a Ryng off golde, his Signet, and putt hit on the ffyngir off the Duk off Lancastre.

1450–1 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Nov. 1450 §8. m. 2 Robbed hym of..his signet, and other dyvers juelx.

1463 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 38 My signet of gold, with a pellican and my armys grave ther in.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Jer. xxii. 24 Though Iechonias..were the signet off my right honde, yet will I plucke him of.

1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 117^v All his victoryes and vertues were not for to be drawen in the compasse of a Signet.

1611 Bible (King James) Exod. xxviii. 11 The worke of an engrauer in stone; like the engrauings of a signet .

1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 177 They wrought onyx stones encloused in ouches of gold, graven as signets are graven.

a1682 Sir T. Browne Certain Misc. Tracts (1683) i. 4 They wonder to find the Art of Ingravery so ancient upon pretious Stones and Signets.

1726 J. Ayliffe Parergon Juris Canonici Anglicani 483 A Bishop's private Seal or Signet bearing his own Coat-Armour.

1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives II. 401 Taking his signet from his finger.

1825 W. Scott Talisman ii, in Tales Crusaders III. 36 That diamond signet, which thou wearest on thy finger, thou holdest it, doubtless, as of inestimable value?

1889 J. Dickie Words of Faith (1893) 254 Your name is graven on the signet on his hand.

1900 U. Cummings Songs of U–ri–on–tah 78 Stand up thou, the Great Bald eagle; Place this signet on thy finger.

1957 L. de Wohl Glorious Folly xii. 109 Before he died he gave his signet to Prince Gaius.

2000 D. Adebayo My Once upon Time (2001) i. 8 He smiled encouragingly, and fingered his silver ring. It had a distinctive blue monkey for a signet.

†4. A signal. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > indication > signalling > [noun] > signal

tokeningc888

tokena1000

signc1384

watch1578

signal1590

signet1590

tattoo1644

trumpet-note1813

trumpet-call1909

1590 ‘Pasquil’ First Pt. Pasquils Apol. sig. D iiij^v The signet shall be giuen, and the fielde fought.

1687 M. Taubman London's Triumph 8 The Boatswain having given his signet by his Whistle.

5. Pathology. = signet ring n. 2b. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > biology > physical aspects or shapes > shape > [noun] > ring or loop

ring?a1425

loop1846

signet ring1876

signet1897

1897 Lancet 10 July 85/2 Even these I have detected in the dried form as rings or signets and then stained them.

1903 Jrnl. Trop. Med. 15 July 222/2 While some of the stained signets were much larger than others, there was nothing else seen to suggest a mixed infection.

1922 Med. Clin. N. Amer. 6 418 One normoblast was seen and there were very numerous subtertian signets.

Compounds

General attributive and appositive, esp. in sense 1b, as signet cylinder, signet letter, signet office, signet seal, etc. See also signet ring n.

ΚΠ

1580 R. Hayward & G. Barne Commission 20 May in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (1589) ii. 456 Shewe them one of the Queenes Maiesties letters, which she sendeth with you..whereunto her Maiestie hath subscribed, and caused her signet seale to be set.

1625 in W. Prynne Hidden Workes Darkenes (1645) 80 A Sub-committee was appointed by the Committee of religion to examine this Letter, with the Originall at the Signet-Office.

1693 N. Tate tr. P. Coste Life Lewis Bourbon iv. 15 They finally..resolv'd that the Duke de la Rochefoucault..should go to Havre, with a Signet Letter, Sign'd by the Queen and Monsieur.

a1722 J. Lauder Decisions (1759) I. 5 The Lords declined to meddle, pretending they would not annul the King's signet letters.

1763 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting III. ii. 87 Lewis Payne engraved two signet seals for Charles II.

1852 Jrnl. Royal Asiatic Soc. 13 419 Our Arab owner is merely to be supposed to have adopted for his signet-device a picture pleasing to his fancy.

1871 P. Smith Anc. Hist. East x. §9. 205 The delicately striped and fringed dresses shewn on the most ancient signet-cylinders.

1906 New Eng. Mag. Nov. 325/1 The British Museum contains a serpent Etruscan ring formed of two lions whose bodies make up the shank, the heads and fore paws supporting a filigree bezel, which holds the signet stone.

1961 D. M. Barton tr. A. Weise Old Test. 13 A significant example may be seen in the signet-cylinder of Atanachili from the beginning of the second millennium.

2002 Pasadena Star-News (Calif.) (Nexis) 19 Dec. Among the items on display..are..Privy Council and Signet letters concerning Mary, Queen of Scots.

Derivatives

ˈsignet-wise adv. now rare in the manner of a signet; like a signet.

ΚΠ

1853 T. C. Croker Catal. Coll. Anc. & Mediæval Rings 35 The Inscriptions sunk, but not signet-wise as in No. 78.

1921 M. B. Anderson tr. Dante Divina Commedia xi. 43 Hence the smallest rondure signet-wise Stamps Sodom and Cahors, and all of those Who, speaking from the heart, their God despise [It. lo minor giron suggella del segno suo e Soddoma e Caorsa].

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2011; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	signet
释义	signetn. Brit. /ˈsɪɡnᵻt/, U.S. /ˈsɪɡnᵻt/ Forms: Middle English singnet, Middle English sugnet, Middle English sygnnet, Middle English syngnete, Middle English syngnettez (plural), Middle English syngnettys (plural), Middle English–1500s signeth, Middle English–1500s signette, Middle English–1500s sygnet, Middle English–1600s signett, Middle English–1600s sygnett, Middle English– signet, 1500s sigenett, 1500s signete, 1500s sygnete; Scottish pre-1700 segnat, pre-1700 segnettis (plural), pre-1700 seignet, pre-1700 sengnet, pre-1700 signat, pre-1700 signete, pre-1700 signett, pre-1700 signit, pre-1700 singnet, pre-1700 sygnet, pre-1700 syngnet, pre-1700 1700s– signet. N.E.D. (1910) also records a form late Middle English sygnat. Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French signet. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman and Middle French signet, seignet, Middle French segnet (French signet , now chiefly in sense ‘bookmark in the form of a ribbon sewn into a volume’) small seal employed for formal or official purposes (c1280 in Old French as sinet sinet n.; in Anglo-Norman also (specifically) the seal officially used by the sovereigns of England and Scotland (frequently from 14th cent. or earlier in English and Scottish official documents), stamp or impression of a seal (14th cent.), identifying or distinguishing mark, characteristic (late 14th cent.) < signe sign n. + -et -et suffix¹. Compare post-classical Latin signetum small seal (frequently from 1281 in British sources; from 14th cent. in continental sources), royal seal (frequently from 1366 in British sources; frequently from a1372 in Scottish sources), Old Occitan senhet (13th cent.), signet (15th cent.), Italian segnetto (late 14th cent.), and also ( < Latin or French) Middle Dutch, Dutch signet, Middle Low German signēt.In sense 4, which is not paralleled in French, probably by association with signal n. In sense 5 short for signet ring n. 1. a. A small seal employed for formal or official purposes instead of, or in addition to, a signature to give authentication or authority to a document for formal or official purposes. Also figurative. ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > marking > imprinting > sealing > [noun] > seal inseila1000 seal1258 signet1384 chop1614 sigillation1642 sealing1904 society > communication > indication > marking > imprinting > sealing > [noun] > engraved stamp used for > for official use signet1384 1384 in J. Slater Early Scots Texts (Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Edinb.) (1952) No. 5 In the witnes of the wische thinges..the..Erle of Northumbre & the Lord of Galleway has set thair signetz enterchangeably in absens of thair selles. ?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 54 (MED) I hadde lettres of the Soudan with his grete seel, & comounly oþer men han but his signett. 1428 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 83 (MED) Þerto I point my signet and my syne manuell. 1459 Draft Will of John Fastolf in Paston Lett. (1904) III. 155 Doutyng that summe of the forseyd sealys of armys or sygnettes remayne stille amonges myn officeres. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Kings xxi. 8 She wrote a letter vnder Achabs name, and sealed it with his signet. 1561 in A. Macdonald & J. Dennistoun Misc. Maitland Club (1843) III. ii. 283 Gewyn vnder ye Superintendentis signet and subscripsion at Sanctandrois. 1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 46 Euery house of Quality, Magazen and Monastery were sealed vp, with the Signets of the Duke and Merchants. 1658 L. Willan Orgula iii. ii. 45 My Signet perfectly agrees with this, And may without a blemish it [sc. a letter] reclose. 1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. i. i. 15 His Excellency..producing his Credentials under the Signet Royal..spoke. 1744 E. Young Complaint: Night the Seventh 14 In Man the more we dive, the more we see Heav'n's Signet stamping an immortal Make. 1821 Ld. Byron Sardanapalus i. ii. 22 Empower me with thy signet To quell the machinations. 1839 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece VII. 61 In packages sealed with his own signet. 1882 Trans. Leics. Archit. & Archæol. Soc. 5 App. 146 Sealed with the borough signet. 1909 Libr. Southern Lit. II. 488 Bench and Bar with her signet have sealed. 1995 D. Brin Brightness Reef (1996) 243 Uriel already sent messages to our parents, calligraphed on heavy cloth paper and sealed with her signet as a sage of the Commons. b. spec. The seal originally used by the sovereigns of England and Scotland for private purposes, and later used on behalf of the sovereign to authenticate royal warrants and other official documents. Also: the authority of the signet. More fully royal (also King's, Queen's) signet. Frequently in under the signet and variants. Now chiefly historical.Clerk of the Signet: see clerk n. Compounds 2. Keeper of the Signet: see Keeper of the Signet n. at keeper n. 1c. Writer to the Signet: see writer n. Phrases 2. (a) In English contexts. ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > marking > imprinting > sealing > [noun] > seal > official or sovereign green waxa1350 secret seal1378 privy seal1410 signet1410 Great Seal1419 private seal1440 common seal1449 cocket1451 privy signet1477 half-seal1509 targec1510 broad seal1550 1410 in Speculum (1939) 14 25 (MED) In witnesse of which thynge oure forsaide soverain lord the kynge hath so set to this present Instruccion his prive seal and his signet also. ?1417 in E. Déprez Études de Diplomatique Anglaise (1908) 100 Yeven, under owr signet, atte owr castel of Touque, ye xii day of aoust. c1475 in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (Harl. 642) (1790) 35 (MED) To this office are belonging iiii clerks, sufficiaunt writers of the Kings signet under the seide Secretary. 1520 Clerical Subsidies (P.R.O. 64/299 B) The kinges moost honorable lettres of placcarde dated under his signet. 1578 in A. Feuillerat Documents Office of Revels Queen Elizabeth (1908) 300 For the privie seale and the signet for the Revells money. 1602 in F. Moryson Itinerary (1617) ii. 150 Given under our Signet..in the fortie three yeere of Our Raigne. a1639 D. Digges Compl. Ambassador (1655) 17 Given under our signet at our Honour of Hampton Court. 1725 Daily Post 15 May His Majesty hath been graciously pleased, by a Warrant under his Royal Signet and Sign Manual, to approve [etc.]. 1779 F. Maseres Canad. Freeholder II. 277 The instructions under the signet and sign-manual ought only to contain directions to his Majesty's governours. 1825 Addit. Instr. to Lord Charles Somerset in G. M. Theal Rec. Cape Colony (1904) XX. 7 The Instructions under the Royal Signet and Sign Manual. 1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. iii. vi. 669 The King's signet, used in sealing all grants superscribed by the Royal sign-manual. 1939 J. Otway-Ruthven King's Secretary iii. 39 The signet warrants to the privy seal merely order the issue of warrants..and this use of the signet was never seriously opposed. 1997 K. Fincham in N. Tyacke Hist. Univ. Oxf. IV. iv. 208 At Oxford, in contrast to Cambridge, very few mandates under the signet were issued after 1633. (b) In Scottish contexts.In later use serving as the seal of the Court of Session. ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > marking > imprinting > sealing > [noun] > seal > official or sovereign > in Scotland signet1433 1433 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 390 Vrittin under our seignet, at Striuelyn, the xvi day of Mars, and of our regne twenty and aucht yer. 1483 in G. Neilson & H. Paton Acts Lords of Council Civil Causes (1918) II. Introd. p. cxxxi The schireffis of Forfar..to summond..the personis..in a portous under the signet, to compere befor our soverane lord [etc.]. 1513–14 in R. K. Hannay Acts Lords of Council Public Affairs (1932) 10 He that kepit the signet. 1561 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 186 And ordanis the signet to ansuer lettres upoun his deliverance. ?1661 in L. B. Taylor Aberdeen Council Lett. (1954) IV. 178 We desyr yow to wait upon the signet and advertise us against quhom and quhat persons to raise lawburrowes. 1708 J. Chamberlayne Magnæ Britanniæ Notitia (1710) 667 The Keepers and other Officers of the Queens Signet. 1765–8 J. Erskine Inst. Law Scotl. i. iii. §39 When the signet is mentioned indefinitely, that of the session is commonly understood; which is also called the King's signet. 1838 W. Bell Dict. Law Scotl. 99 The Royal Signet in Scotland is placed under the direction and control of the Judges of the Court of Session. 1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xiii. 350 The Parliament..assumed the power of stopping the signet, in other words, of suspending the whole administration of justice. 1946 A. D. Gibb Students' Gloss. Sc. Legal Terms 17 These [sc. general charge, special charge, and general-special charge] being writs under the signet for compelling heirs in heritage to take up or renounce the succession. 1999 J. Goodare State & Society in Early Mod. Scotl. vii. 234 More government was a matter of parliamentary statutes, tax demands, royal letters under the signet, and litigation in the court of session. 2. a. The stamp or impression of a seal, esp. one made in wax and affixed to a document as evidence of its authenticity. ΚΠ c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Royal) (1850) Apoc. v. 2 Who is worthi for to opene the boke, and for to vnbynde the signetes [L. signacula] of it? c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 837 Lesande þe boke with leuez sware, Þere seuen syngnettez wern sette in-seme. 1476 in T. Thomson Acts Lords Auditors (1839) 42/1 The said James fraudefully..denyit his awne hand & his signet of the said obligatioun. 1559 in J. Stuart Rec. Monastery Kinloss (1872) 150 To thir our Literis of Bailziaries..our signet is affixed. 1586 in Juridical Rev. (1892) 4 119 My signet of office thereto affixt. a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iv. ii. 194 Heere is the hand and Seale of the Duke: you know the Charracter I doubt not, and the Signet is not strange to you? View more context for this quotation 1690 J. Dryden Don Sebastian v. 120 Your Fathers hand: Firm'd with his Signet. 1701 G. Stanhope tr. St. Augustine Pious Breathings 249 Let me wear thee upon my heart as a signet. 1746 W. Dunkin tr. Horace in P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Epistles ii. ii. 202 Although the Felon's Fork Defac'd the Signet of a Bottle-Cork. 1821 W. Scott Kenilworth III. xvi. 321 ‘See, here is his signet, in token of his instant and pressing commands.’ ‘It is false!’ said the Countess; ‘thou hast stolen the warrant.’ 1885 Mme. de Sanctis Reynard Fox 13 Reynard came to the gates dressed like a pilgrim, and bearing a sealed letter. When I saw it was your Majesty's signet, I received him. 1960 A. Duggan Family Favourites v. 84 ‘My Lord,’ he said, ‘this bears the personal signet of the Praetorian Praefect.’ 2004 L. D. Estleman Port Hazard xii. 106 She frowned at the signet on the crimson seal. b. figurative. An identifying or authenticating mark, sign, stamp, etc. ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > that which identifies or distinguishes > [noun] tokenc1000 distinctionc1374 differencea1398 signeta1425 knowledge?c1475 smell?a1505 markc1522 badge1529 note1583 impress1590 monument1590 type1595 stamp1600 pressure1604 mintage1612 criterion1613 impressa1628 differencer1633 lineament1638 mole1644 discrimination1646 tessera1647 diagnostic1651 monumental1657 discretive1660 signate1662 footmark1666 trait1752 memorandum1766 fingerprint1792 insignia1796 identifier1807 designative1824 cachet1840 differentiator1854 tanga1867 trademark1869 signature1873 totem1875 differential1883 earmarkings1888 paw print1894 discriminator1943 ident1952 a1425 (c1384) Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Corpus Oxf.) (1850) Ezek. xxviii. 12 Thou, a signet of liknes [a1425 L.V. preente of licnesse; L. signaculum similitudinis], ful of wisdam, perfijt in fayrnes, was in delicis of paradise of God. c1450 (c1415) in W. O. Ross Middle Eng. Serm. (1940) 258 (MED) Þou knawiþ well, Gabriell, þat my signet is my speciall grace, þe wiche I marke with my choson children fro þo þat be repreved. 1567 T. Harding Reioindre to M. Iewels Replie against Masse f. 9^v With vs is the signet of Circumcision, the hallowing of the holy Ointements, the Consecration of Priestes. 1651 J. Cleveland Poems (Wing C4684) 2 Love prints her Signets in her smacks, Those Ruddy drops of squeezing wax. 1662 J. Owen Animadv. Fiat Lux xx, in Wks. (1851) XIV. 162 The time will come when this Platonical Signet [sc. the theory of purgatory]..shall be utterly exterminated out of the confines of the church of God. 1763 E. Thompson Temple of Venus i. 18 This Quean withdrawn, a Quaker in belief, Appeared in horns, the signet of his grief, Declar'd his Wife a carnal act had done, as never yet appear'd before the Sun. 1780 W. Hayley Ess. on Hist. iii. 77 Let Truth's undoubted signet seal his page, And Glory guard the work from age to age! 1814 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision III. xi. 100 [St Francis] from Christ Took the last signet, which his limbs two years Did carry. 1852 N. Hawthorne Blithedale Romance xviii. 187 I fancied that this smile..was the devil's signet on the Professor. 1902 A. M. Huffington God's Truth 435 And Thou shall be a signet Unto this nation sealed. 1999 A. Quéma Agon of Modernism x. 197 Something occurred that compelled Lewis to redefine what constituted the signet of his style. 3. A seal, usually set in a ring, regarded as an item of jewellery and featuring distinctive lettering or a design. Also: a ring to which such a seal is fixed (cf. signet ring n. 1). ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > marking > imprinting > sealing > [noun] > engraved stamp used for inseila1000 seala1300 lead1340 signet1392 sinetc1440 jark1567 cashet1609 sigila1610 ring1637 cacheta1639 signet ring1726 cylinder seal1887 1392 in J. Raine Testamenta Eboracensia (1836) I. 177 Lego..j anulum aureum ad modum unius signeth cum hoc nomine, ‘ihc’. ?1435 in C. L. Kingsford Chrons. London (1905) 23 (MED) Opynly he toke off his ffyngir a Ryng off golde, his Signet, and putt hit on the ffyngir off the Duk off Lancastre. 1450–1 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Nov. 1450 §8. m. 2 Robbed hym of..his signet, and other dyvers juelx. 1463 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 38 My signet of gold, with a pellican and my armys grave ther in. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Jer. xxii. 24 Though Iechonias..were the signet off my right honde, yet will I plucke him of. 1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 117^v All his victoryes and vertues were not for to be drawen in the compasse of a Signet. 1611 Bible (King James) Exod. xxviii. 11 The worke of an engrauer in stone; like the engrauings of a signet . View more context for this quotation 1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 177 They wrought onyx stones encloused in ouches of gold, graven as signets are graven. a1682 Sir T. Browne Certain Misc. Tracts (1683) i. 4 They wonder to find the Art of Ingravery so ancient upon pretious Stones and Signets. 1726 J. Ayliffe Parergon Juris Canonici Anglicani 483 A Bishop's private Seal or Signet bearing his own Coat-Armour. 1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives II. 401 Taking his signet from his finger. 1825 W. Scott Talisman ii, in Tales Crusaders III. 36 That diamond signet, which thou wearest on thy finger, thou holdest it, doubtless, as of inestimable value? 1889 J. Dickie Words of Faith (1893) 254 Your name is graven on the signet on his hand. 1900 U. Cummings Songs of U–ri–on–tah 78 Stand up thou, the Great Bald eagle; Place this signet on thy finger. 1957 L. de Wohl Glorious Folly xii. 109 Before he died he gave his signet to Prince Gaius. 2000 D. Adebayo My Once upon Time (2001) i. 8 He smiled encouragingly, and fingered his silver ring. It had a distinctive blue monkey for a signet. †4. A signal. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > signalling > [noun] > signal tokeningc888 tokena1000 signc1384 watch1578 signal1590 signet1590 tattoo1644 trumpet-note1813 trumpet-call1909 1590 ‘Pasquil’ First Pt. Pasquils Apol. sig. D iiij^v The signet shall be giuen, and the fielde fought. 1687 M. Taubman London's Triumph 8 The Boatswain having given his signet by his Whistle. 5. Pathology. = signet ring n. 2b. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > life > biology > physical aspects or shapes > shape > [noun] > ring or loop ring?a1425 loop1846 signet ring1876 signet1897 1897 Lancet 10 July 85/2 Even these I have detected in the dried form as rings or signets and then stained them. 1903 Jrnl. Trop. Med. 15 July 222/2 While some of the stained signets were much larger than others, there was nothing else seen to suggest a mixed infection. 1922 Med. Clin. N. Amer. 6 418 One normoblast was seen and there were very numerous subtertian signets. Compounds General attributive and appositive, esp. in sense 1b, as signet cylinder, signet letter, signet office, signet seal, etc. See also signet ring n. ΚΠ 1580 R. Hayward & G. Barne Commission 20 May in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (1589) ii. 456 Shewe them one of the Queenes Maiesties letters, which she sendeth with you..whereunto her Maiestie hath subscribed, and caused her signet seale to be set. 1625 in W. Prynne Hidden Workes Darkenes (1645) 80 A Sub-committee was appointed by the Committee of religion to examine this Letter, with the Originall at the Signet-Office. 1693 N. Tate tr. P. Coste Life Lewis Bourbon iv. 15 They finally..resolv'd that the Duke de la Rochefoucault..should go to Havre, with a Signet Letter, Sign'd by the Queen and Monsieur. a1722 J. Lauder Decisions (1759) I. 5 The Lords declined to meddle, pretending they would not annul the King's signet letters. 1763 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting III. ii. 87 Lewis Payne engraved two signet seals for Charles II. 1852 Jrnl. Royal Asiatic Soc. 13 419 Our Arab owner is merely to be supposed to have adopted for his signet-device a picture pleasing to his fancy. 1871 P. Smith Anc. Hist. East x. §9. 205 The delicately striped and fringed dresses shewn on the most ancient signet-cylinders. 1906 New Eng. Mag. Nov. 325/1 The British Museum contains a serpent Etruscan ring formed of two lions whose bodies make up the shank, the heads and fore paws supporting a filigree bezel, which holds the signet stone. 1961 D. M. Barton tr. A. Weise Old Test. 13 A significant example may be seen in the signet-cylinder of Atanachili from the beginning of the second millennium. 2002 Pasadena Star-News (Calif.) (Nexis) 19 Dec. Among the items on display..are..Privy Council and Signet letters concerning Mary, Queen of Scots. Derivatives ˈsignet-wise adv. now rare in the manner of a signet; like a signet. ΚΠ 1853 T. C. Croker Catal. Coll. Anc. & Mediæval Rings 35 The Inscriptions sunk, but not signet-wise as in No. 78. 1921 M. B. Anderson tr. Dante Divina Commedia xi. 43 Hence the smallest rondure signet-wise Stamps Sodom and Cahors, and all of those Who, speaking from the heart, their God despise [It. lo minor giron suggella del segno suo e Soddoma e Caorsa]. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2011; most recently modified version published online March 2022). signetv. Brit. /ˈsɪɡnᵻt/, U.S. /ˈsɪɡnət/, Scottish English /ˈsɪɡnᵻt/ Forms: pre-1700 signat, pre-1700 signete, pre-1700 signey, pre-1700 signit, pre-1700 sygnet, pre-1700 1700s– signet, 1700s signet (past participle). Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: signet n. Etymology: < signet n. Scottish. Chiefly Scots Law. transitive. To stamp with a signet, esp. (in later use) as a mark of the authority of the Court of Session; to authorize with a signet. Also in extended use. ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > marking > imprinting > sealing > seal [verb (transitive)] markOE sein1258 sign1258 asseal1297 seal1338 affix1456 embull?a1475 signet1496 consign1623 1496 in T. Dickson Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1877) I. 321 Giffin to a boy, to ryn fra Edinburgh to Linlithquho to Watte Chepman to signet tua letteris to pas to woddis, xij d. 1559 in A. I. Cameron Sc. Corr. Mary of Lorraine (1927) 426 My stamp is absent and thairfor nocht sygnetit. a1600 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) I. 90 This wreittand [= writing] beand subscryuit and signatit with the kingis signit [was]..delyuerit to Schir patrick gray. 1609 J. Skene tr. Forme of Proces in Regiam Majestatem 111 Stewards, or Baillies, sall haue ane signet..with the quhilk they sall signet all letters, and precepts execut be them. 1638 in Reg. Privy Council Scotl. VII. 101 Wee..command..all keepers of the signet, from signeting thairof. 1663 G. Mackenzie Religio Stoici 6 With whose image it is signeted. 1752 J. Louthian Form of Process (ed. 2) 71 These Letters are signet with the Seal of Court. 1797 R. Bell Syst. Forms of Deeds Scotl. I. 290 On producing these at the signet office, the precept is signeted, and the signature retained in the signet office as the warrant of the precept which has been signeted. 1829 W. Scott Anne of Geierstein III. xii. 334 The citation was..written, as was the form, upon parchment, signeted with three crosses, and stuck to the table with a knife. 1862 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia III. xi. iii. 66 Friedrich..soon manufactured the necessary Passport, signeted in due form. 1868 Act 31 & 32 Victoria c. 100 §13 Summonses passing the signet shall continue to be signeted as at present. 1905 Sc. Law Rev. & Sheriff Court Rep. 21 233 Summonses which are sent up to Edinburgh to be signeted. 1952 W. C. Costin & J. S. Watson Law & Working of Constit. I. Gloss. 426 Without such a signature a summons could not be signeted. 1989 Glasgow Herald 31 Mar. 8/5 An action claiming £500 damages was signeted against the ginger beer manufacturer. Derivatives ˈsigneting n. ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > marking > imprinting > sealing > [noun] signeting1557 signation1607 sigillation1642 sealing1674 1557–8 in R. Adam Edinb. Rec. (1899) I. 239 Gevin for the signeting of James Culenis lettres..xx s. 1687 A. Haig in J. Russell Haigs of Bemersyde (1881) xi. 332 It cost 1 lib. 10 sh. for signeting. 1769 G. Gordon Mem. George Earl of Aberdeen 73 In virtue of this summons, which mentions the names of the pursuer and of the defender, the common debtor, and of the date and signetting of the summons. 1890 Jrnl. Jurispr. 34 294 It [sc. the form of summons] contained little more than the pursuer's name, the date of signeting, and some words of style. 1999 J. Geyer-Kordesch & F. Macdonald Physicians & Surgeons in Glasgow i. 13 Given the date of the signeting of this document, [etc.]. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2011; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.1384v.1496
随便看	to make a score off one's own bat to make a secret of to make a seth(e to make a shaft or a bolt of it to make a shift to make a shot to make a show to make a show of to make a show of oneself to make a showing of to make a sign to make a situation too hot for to make a slight to make a slight of to make a song about to make a song over to make a sophie's choice to make a sorry show to make a sortie to make a specified amount of easting to make a specified amount of northing to make a specified amount of southing to make a specified amount of westing to make a spoon or spoil a horn to make a sport of

signetn.

Compounds

Derivatives

signetv.

Derivatives