signal: [16] Latin signālis meant ‘of a sign’ (it was derived from signum ‘mark, token’, source of English sign). It came to be used as a noun, and passed via medieval Latin signāle into Old French as seignal. This was later relatinized into signal, in which form it was taken over by English. The adjective signal ‘conspicuous’ came from the same ultimate source, but via a more circuitous route. The Italian version of the noun signal is segnale. From it was derived the verb segnalare ‘make famous’, whose past participle segnalato gave French signalé – whence English signal. => sign
signal (n.)
late 14c., "visible sign, indication," from Old French signal, seignal "seal, imprint, sign, mark," from Medieval Latin signale "a signal," from Late Latin signalis (adj.) "used as a signal, pertaining to a sign," from Latin signum "signal, sign" (see sign (n.)). Restricted sense "agreed-upon sign (to commence or desist, etc.) is from 1590s. Meaning "modulation of an electric current" is from 1855.
signal (v.)
1805, "to make signals to," from signal (n.). Related: Signaled; signaling. Earlier verb was signalize (1650s).
signal (adj.)
"remarkable, striking, notable" ("serving as a sign"), 1640s, from French signalé, past participle of signaler "to distinguish, signal" (see signal (n.)).
实用例句
1. The coded signal is received by satellite dish aerials.
编码信号由碟形卫星天线接收。
来自柯林斯例句
2. As soon as it was dark, Mrs Evans gave the signal.
天一黑，埃文斯夫人就发出了信号。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The transmitters will send a signal automatically to a local base station.
发射台会自动将信号发射到地方基站。
来自柯林斯例句
4. A thin cable carries the signal to a computer.
一根细电缆将信号传送给一台计算机。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Kurdish leaders saw the visit as an important signal of support.
