signify

Everyday

1. (formal) To be a sign of something; to mean something (dark clouds signify rain). tree →
2. (formal) To show or make known a feeling or wish, often by a sign or action (she nodded to signify yes). tree →
3. (formal) To be important (it does not signify). tree →

In the lessons

A formal exam word: «What does the symbol × signify?» means «what does it mean?». In maths, symbols signify operations (+ signifies addition). In science, signs signify changes. Phrases: «signify that», «signify agreement».

Examples

• The plus sign signifies addition. tree →
• A red light signifies stop. tree →
• Dark clouds often signify rain. tree →
• She raised her hand to signify that she knew the answer. tree →
• What does this symbol on the map signify? tree →
• The ≥ sign signifies «greater than or equal to». tree →
• [79] The Russian word krof also signifies blood. tree →

Note

Formal; everyday: «mean», «show». Noun «significance», adjective «significant» (important). Past «signified» (y changes to i). In maths: always check what each symbol signifies before calculating.

In Jewish tradition

In these texts it means "to mean," used by commentators explaining Hebrew words and letters.

Interpretation. Sefer Yetzirah's readers say the letters signify things like opposites in life, showing that letters carry meaning beyond sound.

Examples

• With a בּ following after it, signifies: to make use of any thing. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• Seven double letters serve to signify the antithesis to which human life is exposed. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• II, that the author signifies by the word "Tohu," nothing, and not something, as Judah Halevi erroneously thought. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →

Note

Formal; everyday: «mean», «show». Noun «significance», adjective «significant» (important). Past «signified» (y changes to i). In maths: always check what each symbol signifies before calculating.