insignia
/ɪnˈsɪɡnɪə
/- These liveries came to be distinguished by heraldic insignia and emblems.
- The US system of rank badges and insignia, introduced in the early 19th century, is highly distinctive, and instructive.
- Ramirez stood up easily in his military uniform, no insignia giving his rank.
Synonyms
- We ourselves circulate as so many signs, carrying on our bodies innumerable minor signs and insignias.
Origin
Mid 17th century: from Latin, plural of insigne 'sign, badge of office', neuter of insignis 'distinguished (as if by a mark)', from in- 'towards' + signum 'sign'.
seal from Old English:
Rather than signing their name, people formerly stamped a personal seal in wax on a completed letter or other document. The expressions put the seal on, ‘to put the finishing touch to something’, and set your seal to, ‘to mark something with your own distinctive character’, both derive from this. To seal something off reflects the use of seals to check that something has not been opened or disturbed. In these and related uses, seal goes back to Latin sigillum ‘small picture’, from signum ‘a sign’, the source of design (late 16th century), designate (mid 17th century), ensign (Late Middle English), insignia (mid 17th century), sign (Middle English), signal (Late Middle English), scarlet, and numerous other English words. This seal dates from Middle English. The name of the animal seal derives from Old English seolh, the source also of the selkie or silkie (mid 16th century), the mysterious seal woman of folklore.