significationn.
/ˌsɪɡnᵻfᵻˈkeɪʃn/, U.S. /ˌsɪɡnəfəˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/ 1. That which is signified by something; meaning, import, implication. Frequently with of.
a. Of a word, phrase, etc. Frequently Linguistics and Semiotics in later use.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > meaning of linguistic unit > [noun]
to owe a wolda1325
meaninga1387
significationa1398
understanding1433
pretensionc1443
intellect?a1475
tendment1519
sense1530
reciprocation1604
sensing1613
denotation1614
apprehension1615
explicitness1630
sounda1631
notion1646
bodementa1657
means1656
force1709
notation1829
connotation1865
content1875
territory1875
the mind > language > linguistics > semantics > meaning or signification > [noun]
significationa1398
signatum1666
significatum1684
signifié1939
signified1939
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. clxii. 1056 Tabula is in oon significacioun a mete borde.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1871) III. 155 Cresus askede then cownsaile of his Goddes, whiche deceyuede hym by a worde equiuocate,..hauenge diuerse significaciones.
a1500 in F. J. Furnivall Polit., Relig., & Love Poems (1903) 65 This worde Anima hath many significacions.
1532 T. More Confut. Tyndale in Wks. 417/1 I sayde..that this is trewe of the vsuall significacion of these wordes themselfe in the English tounge.
1588 A. Fraunce Lawiers Logike i. ii. f. 10v Which are Greeke woordes of like signification.
1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. ⁋15 Diuersitie of signification and sense in the margine..must needes doe good.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan i. iv. 13 The Name Body is of larger signification than the word Man.
1718 Free-thinker No. 52. 2 The Children..should have such Names, as were of an agreeable Signification.
1769 E. Bancroft Ess. Nat. Hist. Guiana 206 The Fire Snake, as it is called, from the signification of its Indian name.
1844 Proc. Philol. Soc. 2 1 The form of the word, its sound and spelling, and the signification.
1881 J. D. Hooker in Nature 8 Sept. 443/2 As one conversant with geography in any extended signification of the word.
1907 F. W. Hodge Handbk. Amer. Indians I. 657/1 Karankawa... The signification of the name has not been ascertained.
1994 Ottawa Citizen (Nexis) 27 Jan. a10 The meaning of a word varies with the way it is used and the signification attached to it by those who use it.
b. Of an action, event or material object.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > [noun]
signifiancec1275
wita1340
understanding1340
significancea1400
interpretationc1400
sentence1402
signification?a1425
comprehensec1470
knowledging1532
meaning1600
conceit1607
significancy1618
signality1646
significativeness1652
valor1676
amount1678
significature1822
?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 154 (MED) Tho thinges han dyuerse significaciouns..the puttynge of the lityll fynger in the ere betokeneth..þat none of hem ne schall not here speke no contrarious thing to the Emperour.
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Merlin (1904) I. l. 2929 Thou behyhgtest forto tellen me here The signefycaciown of the dragowns tweyne.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) vi. 152 I shall expowne and declare vnto you the signyfycasion of this dreme.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Dan. ii. A Shewe me the dreame and the significacion of it.
1569 A. Golding tr. N. Hemmingsen Postill (new ed.) f. 108v What is the signification of the Lords Supper in respect of the euerlastingnesse?
a1610 J. Healey tr. Cebes' Table in tr. Epictetus Manuall (1636) 106 Much talke had wee about the signification of this portraiture, but none could conceive truly what it should intend.
1657 J. Davies tr. G. Naudé Hist. Magick xiv. 172 He teaches a way to know..the signification of the motion of Animals, as also what they mean when they sing.
1722 W. Sewel Hist. Quakers To the King To dig up Antiquities from the dark, by searching out the Signification of Statues and Inscriptions.
1794 T. Taylor tr. Pausanias Descr. Greece III. 104 The signification, too, of the entrails gave them the highest reason to hope that the gods would be propitious to them.
1855 E. B. Pusey Doctr. Real Presence Note A. 21 The natural signification is not changed on account of a signification annexed by the institution.
1895 Electrician 18 Jan. 338/2 One talks of hissing, however, as if there were only one sort of hissing, whereas really there are at least two, with very different significations.
1934 Times 20 Oct. 9/4 The change in the signification of the flags was made in consequence of the capture of H.M. schooner Redbridge.
2005 C. Preston Thomas Browne iii. 119 In its final form it starts with inquiries into..the significations of the twelve semi-precious gems.
2.
a. The fact or property of having or expressing meaning. Now rare except as merged with sense 2b.In quot. 1650: a particular meaning expressed or conveyed.
ΚΠ
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3380 Bot þai it did for sum reson, And thoru significacion.
?a1425 Mandeville's Trav. (Egerton) (1889) 96 It es noȝt done withouten a grete significacion and a grete cause.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin ii. 38 Send after alle the gode men of thi londe to se the bataile, for it hath grete singnificacion.
1532 T. More Confut. Tyndale in Wks. 471/2 He sayth that so it might in dede, yf yt the wycked Pope had not taken away the significacions of our sacramentes from vs.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lxv. 158 Ceremonies destitute of signification are no better then the idle gestures of men, whose broken wits are not masters of that they do.
1610 J. Guillim Display of Heraldrie i. ii. 5 Words of large intendment and signification.
1650 J. Trapp Clavis to Bible (Gen. ix. 14) 82 The Rainbow hath in it two contrary significations, viz. of rain, and fair-weather.
1788 Encycl. Brit. II. 290/2 An additional character..is necessary, which has no signification when placed by itself.
1847 A. J. Davis Princ. of Nature ii. 496 The signifier must precede the thing signified, or else there is no signification.
1863 J. G. Murphy Crit. Comm. Bk. Gen. (iii. 22) 157 Good, evil, life, and death are striking specimens of this elasticity of signification.
1901 Punch 30 Oct. 311/1 ‘Limpid’ means bright and is the current term of advertising-mongers of filters. Otherwise it has no signification at all.
b. Linguistics and Semiotics. The process of signifying; the production of signs.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > semantics > unit of meaning > [noun] > sign > production of
signification1899
1899 Athenæum 5 Aug. 185/3 The semasiologist..has to trace the vicissitudes which the history of forms, words, and phrases presents with respect to signification.
1946 C. Morris Signs, Lang. & Behavior iv. 111 It is evident that signification and knowledge are not limited to that portion of the world which acts as a direct stimulus to an interpreter's behavior.
1973 Screen Spring 94 Each of them is in other contexts the signifying substance of one or more signification systems other than the cinema.
2007 Sociol. Theory 25 33 The subject is an ever-failing iteration in a process of signification.
3. † b. An indication or trace of a physical thing. Obsolete.† c. A gesture, cry, etc., serving to indicate desire or feeling. Obsolete.
a. A thing, event, action, etc., which signifies, symbolizes, or expresses something.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > expression > [noun] > means of
significationc1405
voice1604
vehiclea1652
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Nun's Priest's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 159 That dremes ben signyficaciouns As wel of ioye as tribulaciouns.
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 717 The whyche was a full wondirfull beyste and a grete sygnyfycasion; for Merlyon prophesyed muche of that byeste.
1509 Kynge Rycharde Cuer du Lyon (de Worde) sig. A.vii The tayle henge to the grounde That was sygnyfycacyon The hethen folke to brynge downe.
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. clxxxvii. [clxxxiv.] 572 As he rode forwarde in the forest of Mans, a great sygnifycacyon fell to hym.
1579 W. Fulke Heskins Parl. Repealed in D. Heskins Ouerthrowne 233 Saint Luke, & S. Paule, vse manifest tropes, figures, and significations.
1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus ii. 14 Other Papists teach us, that in the masse is not the very same true and reall oblation, but onely a commemoration and signification of it.
1683 Perswasive to Communion 26 Are not Kneeling, and lifting up the Eyes, significations of the Reverence we owe?
1701 T. Morer Κυριακη Ὴμερα vi. 536 It is to be wish'd, we had that Harmony and Sweetness of Temper..those holy People had, and of all which the Musick at their Worship was the signification and emblem.
1753 Pædo-baptism iv. 80 As milk and honey Were the food of Infants; so the giving of this mixture to a person just baptized, was a signification, or symbolical sign of his being new-born, or born again.
1849 E. Bulwer-Lytton Caxtons I. i. iv. 25 In all these fables, certain philosophers could easily discover symbolical significations of the highest morality.
1876 Chambers's Jrnl. 1 Apr. 215/2 He took out his handkerchief and wiped his forehead..; it was a signification of supreme anxiety and alarm.
1910 H. C. Hodges Stellar Palmistry v. 50 in Sci. & Key of Life VII. When the head line is found to be straight and long this is a signification of good judgment, denotes a lucid mind and a strong will.
1994 R. B. Parker All our Yesterdays (1996) 176 The priest explained in English that the innocent martyrdom of little Maureen Burns was a signification of redemption.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > marking > a mark > trace or vestige > [noun]
signa1382
stepa1382
ficchingc1384
marka1400
tracesc1400
scentc1422
footstep?a1425
tidinga1440
relicc1475
smell?a1505
stead1513
vestigy1545
print1548
token1555
remnant1560
show1561
mention1564
signification1576
footing?1580
tract1583
remainder1585
vestige1602
wrack1602
engravement1604
footstepping1610
resent1610
ghost1613
impression1613
remark1624
footprint1625
studdle1635
vestigium1644
relict1646
perception1650
vestigiary1651
track1657
symptom1722
signacle1768
ray1773
vestigia1789
footmark1800
souvenir1844
latent1920
1576 A. Fleming tr. J. Caius Of Eng. Dogges 5 (So that there be some signification of bloud shed) these Dogges..can disclose and bewray the same by smelling.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 124 They haue nothing but small bunches, as it were significations of their hornes to come.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 507 A great floud of waters..swept them al away, leauing no more behind then naked and bare significations of former buildings.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > expression > [noun] > an expression
signification1607
expressiona1628
impressa1629
express1644
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 141 By his gestures and moouings they coniecture his meaning..giving..ready obedience to his significations.
1691 J. Ray Wisdom of God 39 No Cruelty could be exercised towards them; which is contrary to the doleful significations they make when beaten or tormented.
4.
a. An indication of an idea, emotion, etc.; an intimation of a future event. Also as a mass noun: notice, indication, intimation. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > [noun] > an indication or sign
tokeningc888
fingereOE
senyeOE
markOE
showing?c1225
blossomc1230
signa1325
signifyingc1384
evidencea1393
notea1398
forbysena1400
kenninga1400
knowinga1400
showerc1400
unningc1400
signala1413
signification?a1425
demonstrancec1425
cenyc1440
likelinessc1450
ensign1474
signifure?a1475
outshowinga1500
significativea1500
witter1513
precedent1518
intimation1531
signifier1532
meith1533
monument1536
indicion?1541
likelihood1541
significator1554
manifest1561
show1561
evidency1570
token-teller1574
betokener1587
calendar1590
instance1590
testificate1590
significant1598
crisis1606
index1607
impression1613
denotementa1616
story1620
remark1624
indicium1625
denotation1633
indice1636
signum1643
indiction1653
trace1656
demonstrator1657
indication1660
notationa1661
significatory1660
indicator1666
betrayer1678
demonstration1684
smell1691
wittering1781
notaa1790
blazonry1850
sign vehicle1909
marker1919
rumble1927
?a1425 MS Hunterian 95 f. 147, in Middle Eng. Dict. at Significacioun Þe singnyficacioun þat it [sc. medicine] is stronger þen it owe to ben, it is þis: þe vlcus eche daie wexeþ more holowe.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1869) II. 209 (MED) The creaciones of wondres be causede otherwhile to the significacion of thynges to comme.
c1475 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage Life Man (Tiber.) l. 22234 I..Prayed hir..That sche wolde anoon devyse There-off by exposicyoun A cleer sygnyffycacyoun.
1542 King Henry VIII Declar. Causes Warre Scottis B iij All these..gyue suche signification of theyr arrogancy, as it is necessary for vs to oppresse it in the begynning.
1586 Burghley in Leicester Corr. (Camden) 306 Comming to me with signification that he was to depart erly in the next morning.
1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients Ded. sig. A3 Feeling my selfe inspired with courage by the signification of your noble desire..I stoutly fell to my taske.
1674 in O. Airy Essex Papers (1890) I. 238 You gave me an intimation of a..Letter coming…, I returne you many thanks for this signification.
1719 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) III. 73 Until further Signification of his Majestys or their Excellencys Pleasure.
1741 C. Middleton Hist. Life Cicero (ed. 3) III. ix. 15 Caesar..could never draw from the people any public signification of their favour.
1788 R. Burns Let. 25 Jan. (1985) I. 219 You know, a hint, the slightest signification of your wish, is to me a sacred command.
1830 J. Galt Lawrie Todd II. vi. iii. 255 She made no reply, but only a high-madam-ho signification that she recognised me.
1883 J. M. Lightwood Nature of Positive Law xiii. 316 A command is a signification of desire made by one person A, to another person B.
1999 Law & Philos. 18 115 A state of mind of the victim is not sufficient in itself..there must also be some outward signification of this state of mind.
b. Notification in proper legal form; a formal notification. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > process, writ, warrant, or order > [noun] > notification
monitionc1460
signification1533
warning1579
garnishment1585
intimation1632
factorizing1809
originating notice1881
legal1896
society > communication > information > intimation or making known > [noun] > formal
signification1533
notice1597
advice1622
1533–4 Act 25 Hen. VIII c. 20 §5 Letters patentes..commaundyng such archebishop, to whom any such significacion shalbe made, to confirme the said election.
1586 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. I. 316 Patents and Commaundements should be held in suspence and deferred, thirtie days after signification and knowledge of them.
1654 C. Barksdale tr. H. Grotius Of Law of Warre & Peace iii. xx. 521 That war may be just..it is requisite..that it be publickly decreed, and truly so decreed publickly, that the signification thereof be made by the one party to the other.
a1658 J. Durham Pract. Expos. X. Commandements (1675) viii. 407 When something is lost, and we keep it, as if finding gave us a right to it; it should be for the right owner, and if he cannot be found, publick signification should be made of it, as the Law requireth.
1688 H. Wharton tr. G. Dellon Hist. Inquisition Goa xiv. 24 This signification is made in presence of a Serjeant of the Secular Justice.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) Some Significations are to be made to the Person himself; or, at least, at his House.
1765 C. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. i. 40 There was public notice given, that if any person knew of any thing to object against the party elected..he should come and tender his exceptions. This signification being made, [etc.].
1881 Daily News 17 Jan. 5/1 It was contended that the statutory deprivation..displaced the old proceeding by signification to the Court of Chancery.
1903 Commerc. Law Rep. (Canada) I. 118 This is the position in which a debtor in France is always placed, as there, although the signification is made in authentic form, no copy of the transfer is given to him.
5. Importance, consequence. Chiefly in negative contexts. Now rare (frequently English regional (midlands) in later use).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun]
mund?c1250
steemc1330
greatnessc1410
substancec1425
importance1485
weight1521
moment1522
weightiness1530
importancy1531
importunance1546
import1548
reckoning1582
sequel1588
ponderosity1589
valure1594
consequence1597
significance1597
circumstance1599
consequent1599
eminency1622
importmenta1625
concernment1626
consideration1634
telling1636
signification1645
considerableness1647
concerningness1657
nearness1679
significancy1679
respectability1769
interest1809
noteworthiness1852
portee1893
valency1897
1645 E. Hyde Transcendent & Multiplied Rebellion & Treason 13 It be a maxime in Law that in case of Treason Priviledge of Parliament doth not extend, is of no signification.
1704 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion III. xv. 466 Who, assoon as they were remov'd,..were found to be of no signification, or influence.
1760 Impostors Detected I. Advt. 7 I met with the following MSS. which at that time I thought of little signification.
1794 W. Godwin Caleb Williams I. x. 230 It is no signification putting your questions to us. We only do as we are directed.
1854 A. E. Baker Gloss. Northants. Words II. 233 It's of no signification.
1859 C. Darwin Origin of Species xiii. 414 With plants, how remarkable it is that the organs of vegetation, on which their whole life depends, are of little signification..whereas the organs of reproduction..are of paramount importance!
1917 Times 20 Apr. 8/3 It is a matter of no little signification that [etc.].
Phrases
in signification of: as a token or symbol of. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > [phrase]
in seyn that?a1400
in signification ofc1400
c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §31. 41 Now is thin Orisonte departed in 24 parties.., in significacion of 24 partiez of the world.
1569 T. Roest tr. J. van der Noot Theatre Worldlings sig. B.j I present your highnesse with this smal Treatise of mine, as the best Iewel that I haue in store at this presente, in signification of my good wil.
1592 A. Day Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) Ded. sig. A2 In signification of the will I haue to do vnto your Lordship any acceptable seruice.
1631 Bp. T. Morton Of Inst. Sacrament vii. iii. 84 Our Bowing downe our heads to the ground, in signification of our Vnworthinesse.
1671 L. Addison W. Barbary xv. 203 In signification of their love to the Dead, the near Kinred of both Sexes use Tokens very expressive of Sorrow.
1720 J. Burchett Compl. Hist. Trans. at Sea ii. xv. 151 A hundred Pageants resembling beaked Gallies, in Signification of his Successes at Sea.
1728 S. Kent Banner Display'd II. i. vi. 605 I should be apt to think the Herald who invented this Coat..gave it to the first Bearer, in Signification of his being the first or Principal Founder of some noted Place.
1836 Light from West Sept. 212 That ‘bread which we break,’ in signification of his body broken for our salvation.
1893 E. F. Knight Where Three Empires Meet xxviii. 446 They..received us with much salaaming and offerings of chapatis and ghee in signification of their submission.
1908 S. Wilbur Life of Mary Baker Eddy iii. 25 In signification of his satisfaction [the politician] offered Mr. Baker a gold-headed walking-stick as he was leaving.
Derivatives
signifiˈcational adj. of or relating to signification.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > semantics > meaning or signification > [adjective]
significational1868
semantic1890
sensal1896
1868 N.Y. Teacher & Amer. Educ. Monthly 5 205 The phonetic and significational changes to which it [sc. language] is subject, are discussed in a manner that cannot fail to interest the general reader.
1953 H. H. Price Thinking & Experience iv. 117 Our question concerning the ‘tied’ (as opposed to ‘free’) character of significational thinking.
2001 H. Bannerji Inventing Subj. 10 Class..as an ensemble of social relations and significational practices, is then not only an economic but a social form.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2011; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.a1398