significancy 
I have been admiring the wonderful significancy of that 
word persecution, and what various interpretations it hath 
acquired. Sitrtft, Letter concerning the sacramental 'lest. 
significant (sig-nif ' i-kant), . and n. [= OF. 
"signifiant = Sp. Pg. It. significants, < L. signifi- 
can(t-)s, ppv. of significare, show by signs, in- 
dicate, signify: see signify.] I. a. 1. Signify- 
ing something; conveying a meaning; having 
a purport; expressive; implying some charac- 
ter, and not merely denotative : as, a significant 
word or sound. 2. Serving as a sign or indi- 
cation; having a special or covert meaning; 
suggestive; meaning: as, a significant gesture; 
a significant look. 
To add to religions duties such rites and ceremonies as 
are significant is to institute new sacraments. 
Hooker. (Johnson.) 
He [Drummond] lived and died, in the significant lan- 
guage of one of his countrymen, a bad Christian, but a 
good Protestant Macaulay, Hist Eng., vi. 
3. Important; notable; weighty; more strict- 
ly, important for what it indicates, but also, 
often, important in its consequences: opposed 
to insignificant : as, a significant event. 
Arsenic acid can be evaporated even to dryness in pres- 
ence of hydrochloric acid without danger of significant vol- 
atilization. Amer. Jour. Sci., 3d ser., XL. 66. 
Significant figures, the succession of figures in the or- 
dinary notation of a number neglecting all the ciphers 
between the decimal point and the figure not a cipher 
nearest to the decimal point. 
II. n. That which is significant ; a meaning, 
sign, or indication. [Rare.] 
Since you are tongue-tied and so loath to speak, 
In dumb significants proclaim your thoughts. 
Shalt., 1 Hen. VI., ii. 4. 26. 
In my glass significants there are 
Of things that may to gladness turn this weeping. 
Wordsworth, The Egyptian Maid. 
significantly (sig-nif'i-kant-li), adv. In a sig- 
nificant manner; so as to convey meaning or 
signification; meaningly; expressively; so as 
to signify more than merely appears. 
significate (sig-nif'i-kat), n. [= It. significato, 
< L. significatiis, pp. of significare, show by 
signs, indicate : see signify.] In logic, one of 
several characters (less properly also objects) 
signified by a common term. 
"All tyrants are miserable," "no miser is rich," are 
universal propositions, and their subjects are, therefore, 
said to be distributed, being understood to stand, each, 
for the whole of its significates : but "some islands are 
fertile," "all tyrants are not assassinated," are particu- 
lar, and their subjects, consequently, not distributed, be- 
ing taken to stand for a part only of their significates. 
Whately, Logic, II. ii. 1. 
Formal signiflcate. See, formal. 
signification (sig"ni-fi-ka'shon), n. [< ME. sig- 
nification, significations, < OF. signification, 
signification, F. signification = Pr. significatio = 
Sp. signification = Pg. significaqao = It. signifi- 
cazione, < L. significatio(n-), a signifying, indi- 
cation, expression, sign, token, meaning, em- 
phasis, <. siijinjicare, pp. significatiis, mean, sig- 
nify: see signify.'] 1. The act of signifying 
or making known ; expression or indication of 
meaning in any manner. [Rare.] 
All speaking or signification of one's mind implies an act 
or address of one man to another. South. 
2. A fact as signified; an established or intend- 
ed meaning ; the import of anything by which 
thought is or may be communicated ; connota- 
tion, or logical comprehension; implication; 
sense: as, the signification of a word or a ges- 
ture; the significations of mathematical and 
other conventional signs. 
Words in their primary . . . signification stand for no- 
thing but the ideas in the mind of him that uses them. 
Locke, Human Understanding, III. ii. 2. 
3f. Significance; occult meaning; a fact as in- 
ferable from a phenomenon of which it is said 
to be the signification. 
Neuertheles, the dragon had grete signification in hym- 
self, ffor it be-tokened the kynge Arthur and his power. 
Merlin (E. E. T. S.), iii. 398. 
4. Importance; consequence; significant im- 
port. Halliu-elt. [Obsolete or prov. Eng.] 
Therefore send after alle the gode men of the londe to 
se the bataile, for it hath grete significaeion. 
Merlin (E. E. T. S.), i. 38. 
5. In French-Canadian Jaw, the act of giving 
notice; notification. Formal signification. See 
formal. = Syn. 2. Meaning, etc. See significance . 
significative (sig-nif i-ka-tiv), a. [< F. signifi- 
catif = Sp. Pg. It. significative, < LL. significa- 
tivus, denoting, signifying, < L. significare, pp. 
significatiis, mean, signify: see signify.] 1. 
Serving as an external sign or symbol of some 
fact; having a representative signification; in- 
tentionally suggestive and almost declaratory; 
showing forth an internal meaning. 
5626 
In the creation it was part of the office of the sun and 
moon to be significative ; he created them for signs as well 
as for seasons. Donne, Sermons, ii. 
2. Significant; serving as a premise from which 
some state of things may be inferred ; convey- 
ing a covert meaning. 
On the night of the 8th of September, Egmont received 
another most significative and mysterious warning. 
Motley, Dutch Republic, II. 122. 
Significatively (sig-nif'i-ka-tiv-li), adv. In a 
significative manner; so as to represent, ex- 
press, or convey by an external sign or indica- 
tion. 
This sentence must either be taken tropically, that 
bread may be the body of Christ significaticely, or else it 
is plainly absurd and impossible. 
Abp. Ifssher, Ans. to a Challenge made by a Jesuit, iii. 
significativeness (sig-nif 'i-ka-tiv-nes), . The 
quality of being significative. Westminster ev. 
significator (sig-nif'i-ka-tpr), n. [= F. signifi- 
cateur= Sp. Pg. significador = It. significatorc, 
< ML. significator, < L. significare. signify: see 
signify.] One who or that which signifies or 
makes known by words, signs, etc. ; in astral., 
specifically, a planet ruling a house ; especially, 
the lord of the ascendant (which is the signifi- 
cator of life); the apheta. See the quotation. 
The planet which is lord of the house which rules the 
matter inquired after is the significator of the quesited ; 
the lord of the ascendant is the general significator of the 
querent. W. Lilly, Introo. to Astrol., A pp., p. 344. 
significatory (sig-nif'i-ka-to-ri), a. and M. [= 
It. aignificatorio, < LL. significatorius, denoting, 
signifying, < L. significare, signify : see signify.] 
1. a. Having signification or meaning; signifi- 
cant or significative. [Rare.] Imp. Diet. 
II. .; pi. significatories (-riz). That which 
betokens, signifies, or represents. 
Here is a double significatory of the spirit, a word and a 
sign. Jer. Taylor. 
significant (sig"ni-fi-ka'vit), . [< L. signifi- 
cavit, 3d pers. sing. perf. ind. of significare, 
signify : see signify.] In eccks. lau; a writ, now 
obsolete, issuing out of Chancery upon certifi- 
cate given by the ordinary of a man s standing 
excommunicate by the space of forty days, for 
the keeping of him in prison till he submit him- 
self to the authority of the church: so called 
from the first word of the body of the writ. 
iriiarton. 
If it be for defect of apparance, take me out a special 
significavit. Hiddleton, The Phoenix, ii. 3. 
signifier (sig'ni-fi-er), w. One who or that which 
signifies, indicates, or makes known. 
In peace he [King Edwin of Northumberland] was pre- 
ceded by his signifier. Preble, Hist. Hag, p. 122. 
Signify (sig'ni-fi), r. ; pret. and pp. signified, ppr. 
signifying. [<.]E.signifien,signefien,gygnyfyen, 
sinifien, < OF. signifier, F. signifier = Pr. signi- 
ficar, signifiar = Sp. Pg. significar = It. signifi- 
care, < L. significare, show by signs, signify, 
mean, < signnm, a sign, -t- facere, make : see sign 
and fact.] I. trans. 1. To be a sign or token 
of (a fact or pretended fact); represent or sug- 
gest, either naturally or conventionally; be- 
token; mean. 
What thing that signe snld signify. 
Holy Rood (E. E. T. S.), p. 89. 
Let him have some plaster, or some loam, or some rough- 
cast about him, to signify wall. Shale., M. N. !>., iii. 1. 71. 
It is a great mercy, that signifies a final and universal 
acquittance. Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), I. 654. 
The olde Oreeke word [cocytus] which signifieth tokeepe 
a noyse. Coryat, Crudities, I. 85. 
John the Baptist is ml I'd an Angel, which in Greeke sig- 
nifies a Messenger. Milton, On Def. of Humb. Remonst. 
Happiness signifies a gratified state of all the faculties. 
H. Spencer, Social Statics, p. 15. 
2. To import, in the Paracelsian sense. See 
signature, 2. 
Then took he up his garland, and did shew 
What every flower, as country-people hold, 
Did signify. Beau, and if., Philaster, i. 2. 
3. To import relatively; have the purport or 
bearing of; matter in regard to (something ex- 
pressed or implied) : as, that signifies little or 
nothing to us ; it signifies much. 
Why should their [the Sadducees'] opposition signifie 
any thing against so full a stream running down from the 
first and purest Antiquity? Stillingjteet, Sermons, II. i. 
Pshaw ! what signifies kneeling, when you know I 
must have you 1 Sheridan, The Rivals, iv. '2. 
4. To make known by signs, speech, or action ; 
communicate ; give notice of ; announce ; de- 
clare. 
Then Paul . . . entered into the temple, to signify the 
accomplishment of the days of purification. Acts xxii. 26. 
He sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant 
John. Rev. L 1. 
sike 
Pray yon signify 
Unto your patron I am here. 
B. Jonson, Volpone, iii. 2. 
5t. To exhibit as a sign or representation; 
make as a similitude. 
The picture of the greatest of them is signified in the 
Mappe. Capt. John Smith, Works, I. 120. 
= Svn. To manifest, intimate, denote, imply, indicate. 
II. intrants. To have import or meaning ; be 
of consequence; matter. 
Well, and pray now not that \tsignifies what might 
the gentleman say? Sheridan, The Critic, i. 1. 
Reuben Butler ! he liasna in his pouch the value o' the 
auld black coat he wears but it disna signify. 
Scott, Heart of Mid- Lothian, xxvi. 
We ask for long life, but 'tis deep life, or grand moments, 
that signify. Emerton, Works and Days. 
signifying (sig'ni-fi-ing), p. a. Having expres- 
sive force ; significant. [Rare.] 
If the words be but becoming, and signifying, and the 
sense gentle, there is juice; but where that wanteth, the 
language is thin, flagging, poor, starved. 
B. Jonson, Discoveries. 
signinum (sig-ni'num), n. [L., abbr. of opA- 
Xiiininum, 'work of Signia'; neut. of Siyniims. 
of Signia, < Signia, an ancient town in Latium, 
now Segni.] See opus siijninum, under opus. 
signior. . See signor. 
signiorize, v. See seigniorise. 
signioryt, See seigniory. 
signless (sin'les), a. [< sign + -less.] 1. Mak- 
ing no sign or manifestation ; quiet; passive. 
[Rare.] 
Poems . . . 
Which moved me in secret, as the sap is moved 
In still March branches, signless as a stone. 
Mrs. Browning, Aurora Leigh, viii. 
2. Having no algebraical sign, or being essen- 
tially positive, like the modulus of an imagi- 
nary, a tensor, etc. 
Matter or mass is signless. 
H. Fargnhar, in Science, III. 700. 
signor (se'nyor), . [Also signior, signore; 
< It. signore, "sir, a lord, = Sp. seKor = Pg. 
senhor = F. seigneur: see senior, seignior, sire, 
sir, settor.] 1. An Italian lord or gentleman; 
specifically, a member of a class or body of 
ruling magistrates or senators in one of the 
old Italian republics. 
Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors, 
My very noble and approved good masters. 
Shak., Othello, i. 3. 77. 
The legislative authority of Genoa is lodged in the great 
senate, consisting of signors. J. Adams, Works, IV. 846. 
Hence 2. A lord or gentleman in general ; a 
man of aristocratic rank or associations. 
I have all that 's requisite 
To the making up of a signior. 
Massinger, Great Duke of Florence, iii. 1. 
3. [y>.] An Italian title of respect or address 
for a man, contracted from Signore before a 
name, equivalent to Seiior in Spanish, SenJior 
in Portuguese, Monsieur or M. in French, Mis- 
ter or Mr. in English, Herr in German, etc. 
Signora (se-nyo'ra), n. [< It. signora, a lady, 
fern, of signore; = Sp. seiiora = Pg. senliora : 
see signor.] An Italian title of address or re- 
spect for a woman, equivalent to Madam, Mrs. 
Signorina (se-nyo-re'nii), n. [It., a young lady, 
miss ; dim. of signora : see Signora.] An Italian 
title of respect for a young woman, equivalent 
to Miss in English, Mademoiselle in French, etc. 
signoryt (se'nyor-i), n. See seigniory. 
sign-painter (sin'pan i 'ter), n. A painter of 
signs for tradesmen, etc. 
Sign-post (sin'post), n. A post holding a sign. 
Specifically (a) A post having an arm from which a sign 
hangs or swings, as before a tavern, (b) A guide-post. 
He [the comic man] turned round signposts and made 
them point the wrong way, in order to send people 
whither they did not wish to go. 
W. Besant, Fifty Years Ago, p. 100. 
sign-symbol (sin 'sim"bol), n. A symbol denot- 
ing a row or matrix of plus and minus signs. 
signum (sig'num), w. ; pi. signa (-na) [L., a 
mark, sign : see sign.] In Saxon law, a cross pre- 
fixed to a charter or deed as evidence of assent. 
sigterite (sig'ter-It), n. A silicate of alumin- 
ium and sodium, corresponding in composi- 
tion to an anhydrous natrolite. In physical char- 
acters it is allied to the feldspars. It occurs in granular 
form in elajolite-syenite in the island of Sigtero in the 
Langesundflord, southern Norway. 
Sikt, a. A Middle English form of sick 1 . 
sika (se'ka), n. A kind of deer found in Japan. 
Sike 1 (sikj', H. [Sc. also syke, syl; < ME. site, 
prob. not < AS. sic, sick (Somner), a furrow, 
gutter, rivulet, but < Icel. sik, mod. siki, a ditch, 
trench ; prob. connected with AS. sigan, E. sie, 
