signifert (signifer)

[ Signifer his candels sheweth brighte. Chaucer , Troilus, v. 1020. signifiable (sig'ni-fi-a-bl), a. [ signify + -able .] That may be be signified; capable of being represented by signs or symbols. Now what is it that is directly signifiable in the world about us? Evidently, the separate acts and qualities of sensible objects, and nothing else. Whitney, in Encyc. Brit., XVIII. 766. sign if i an cet, n. [ME. sign if i a unce, signefiance , sign i fiance : see significance .] Same as significance . A straw for alle swevenes [dreams'] sign if i a unce ! Chaucer , Troilus, v. 362. And thus ye may knowe whiche were gode men and worthy, whan ye se the sign if i a unce of the voyde place. Merlin (E. E. T. §.), i. 60. significance (sig-nif'i-kans), n. [ sign if i cance, a later form, partly conformed to the L., of sign i fiance , segni fiance , sene fiance (> ΜΕ. sign if i a unce , signefiance ) = Pr. signifianza , sig nificansa = It. significanza , significant i a , meaning, force, energy, significance, sign if i can(t-)s, meaning, significant: see significant .] 1. That which is signified; purport; covert sense; real or implied meaning; that which may be inferred in regard to any state of things from any circumstance: as, the significance of a metaphor, of a chance remark, of a look, of behavior.-2. Importance; more strictly, importance as significative of something interesting, but also, frequently, importance as affecting considerable interests: as, the great significance of many small things. All their endeavours, either of persuasion or force, are of little significance . Bacon , Moral Fables, v., Expl. The Rubicon, we know, was a very insignificant stream to look at; its significance lay entirely in certain invisible conditions. George Eliot , Middle march, lxxxii. You never know what life means till you die: Even throughout life, 'tis death that makes life live, Gives it whatever the significance . Browning , Ring and Book, II. 304. 3. The character of being significant; force of meaning; distinct signification; expre ive ne . Syn. Significance, Signification, Meaning. Mean ing is the most general; it may apply to persons, but not the other words: as, what was his meaning? Significa tion is closer than significance; significance is especially the quality of signifying something, while signification is generally that which is signified: as, he attached a great deal of significance to this fact; what is the signification of D. C. L.?