- an object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else标记, 标志; 表示：
flowers are often given as a sign of affection
鲜花常用来表示爱慕
with clause the shops are full, which is a sign that the recession is past its worst.商店里到处是人, 表明经济衰退的低谷已经过去。
- something regarded as an indication or evidence of what is happening or going to happen迹象; 征兆, 预兆：
the signs are that counterfeiting is growing at an alarming rate.
种种迹象表明造假正以惊人的速度上升。
- with negative used to indicate that someone or something is not present where they should be or are expected to be踪迹, 踪影：
there was still no sign of her.
仍见不到她的踪影。
- Medicine an indication of a disease detectable by a medical practitioner even if not apparent to the patient【医】征, 体征。比较SYMPTOM.
- a miracle regarded as evidence of supernatural power (chiefly in biblical and literary use)神迹（主要用于《圣经》和文学作品中）。
- mass noun N. Amer. the trail of a wild animal〈北美〉（野生动物的）足迹, 臭迹：
wolverine sign.
狼獾足迹。
- a gesture or action used to convey information or instructions手势; 示意动作：
she gave him the thumbs-up sign.
她向他做了个拇指向上的手势。
- a notice that is publicly displayed giving information or instructions in a written or symbolic form标牌; 指示牌：
I didn't see the 'Stop' sign.
我没有看到“停”的指示牌。
- an action or reaction that conveys something about someone's state or experiences（表示某人状况或经历的）动作; 反应：
she gave no sign of having seen him.
她不像见过他。
- a gesture used in a system of sign language（手势语中的）手势。
- mass noun short for SIGN LANGUAGE.SIGN LANGUAGE的简称。
- a symbol or word used to represent an operation, instruction, concept, or object in algebra, music, or other subjects（代数、音乐或其他学科中表示特定含义的）符号（或字）。
- a word or gesture given according to prior arrangement as a means of identification; a password暗语, 暗号; 口令。
- （亦作zodiacal sign）Astrology each of the twelve equal sections into which the zodiac is divided, named from the constellations formerly situated in each, and associated with successive periods of the year according to the position of the sun on the ecliptic【占星】（黄道12宫中的）宫：
a person born under the sign of Virgo.
一个出生在室女宫中的人。
- Mathematics the positiveness or negativeness of a quantity【数】正负号。
- with obj. write one's name on (a letter, card, or similar item) to identify oneself as the writer or sender签名于（信件、卡片等）; 签字于：
the card was signed by the whole class.
全班都在卡片上签过名。
- indicate agreement with or authorization of the contents of (a document or other written or printed material) by attaching a signature签署（文件等书写或打印材料）：
the two countries signed a non-aggression treaty.
两国签署了互不侵犯条约。
- write (one's name) for purposes of identification or authorization署（名）：
she signed her name in the book
她在书中署上了自己的名字
with obj. and complement she signed herself Imogen她在署名时把自己称为“伊莫根”
no obj. he signed on the dotted line.他在虚线上署名。
- engage (someone, typically a sports player or a musician) to work for one by signing a contract with them与（运动员、音乐人等）签约：
the manager plans to sign a new goalkeeper.
这位经理打算与一名新的守门员签约。
- sign a contract committing oneself to work for a particular person or organization（为某人或某个组织工作而）签约：
a new striker has signed for Blackburn.
一名新的攻击手签约去布莱克本流浪队。
- no obj. use gestures to convey information or instructions打手势; 示意：
with infinitive she signed to her husband to leave the room.她示意她丈夫离开房间。
- communicate in sign language用手势语交流：
she was learning to sign.
她正在学习使用手势语。
- with obj. express or perform (something) in sign language用手势语表达（或表演）：
as adj. signed the theatre routinely puts on signed performances.剧院定期上演用手势语演出的节目。
- with obj. usu. be signed indicate with signposts or other markers用标志杆（或其他记号）表示：
the footpath is signed by the gate.
人行道上有个大门作为标示。
- archaicwith obj. mark or consecrate with the sign of the cross〈古〉对…画十字。
sign of the cross
- a Christian sign made in blessing or prayer by tracing a cross from the forehead to the chest and to each shoulder, or in the air表示祝福或祈祷画十字。
sign of the times
- something judged to exemplify or indicate the nature or quality of a particular period, typically something unwelcome or unpleasant时代的标志（尤指不受欢迎或讨厌的事物）：
the theft was a sign of the times.
偷窃是这个时代的标志。
signed, sealed, and delivered（或signed and sealed）
- formally and officially agreed and in effect正式签署生效。
signer
nounsign something away/over
- officially relinquish rights or property by signing a deed（在契约上）签字正式放弃（权利, 财产）：
I have no intention of signing away my inheritance.
我无意签字放弃继承权。
sign for
- sign a receipt to confirm that one has received (something delivered or handed over)签收。
sign in
- sign a register on arrival, typically in a hotel登记住宿, 签到。
sign someone in
- record someone's arrival in a register签到登记。
sign off
- conclude a letter, broadcast, or other message结束写信（或广播等信息）：
he signed off with a few words of advice.
他在信末写了几句忠告的话。
- conclude an activity结束活动：
he signed off from school athletics with a double in the shot.
他在离开学校田径运动队时获得铅球和铁饼双料冠军。
- sign to record that one is leaving work for the day下班登记。
- Bridge indicate by a conventional bid that one is seeking to end the bidding【桥牌】示弱止叫。
- Brit. register to stop receiving unemployment benefit after finding work〈英〉（找到工作后）登记停止领取失业救济。
sign someone off
- record that someone is entitled to miss work, typically because of illness登记某人（尤指因病）不宜工作。
sign off on
- US informal assent or give one's approval to〈美, 非正式〉认可, 同意：
it was hard to get celebrities to sign off on those issues.
很难得到名流对这些问题的认同。
sign on
- commit oneself to employment, membership of a society, or some other undertaking签约受雇; 签约参加社团（或其他活动）：
I'll sign on with a nursing agency.
我将与一家保育机构签约。
- Brit. register as unemployed〈英〉失业注册。
sign someone on
- take someone into one's employment签约雇佣。
sign out
- sign a register to record one's departure, typically from a hotel（尤指从宾馆）登记离开。
sign someone out
- authorize someone's release or record their departure by signing a register签字放行; 登记某人的离开。
sign something out
- sign to indicate that one has borrowed or hired something登记某物借出（或租用）：
I signed out the keys.
我登记将钥匙借出。
sign up
- commit oneself to a period of employment or education or to some other undertaking签约受雇; 报名接受培训等：
he signed up for a ten-week course.
他报名参加十周的培训课程。
- enlist in the armed force报名参军。
- （亦作sign something up）conclude a business deal达成交易：
the company has already signed up a few orders.
这家公司已经签了好几份订单。
sign someone up
- formally engage someone in employment〈正式〉雇佣。