
sign
词源
源自拉丁语'signum',意为标记、符号或信号,13世纪通过古法语'signe'进入英语。
noun
❶ 指用来传达信息或指示的标记、符号或手势,如交通标志、手语动作等。
“The stop sign is red and octagonal.”
(停车标志是红色八角形的。)
“She gave me a sign to be quiet.”
(她给了我一个保持安静的手势。)
❶ 表示某种情况存在或即将发生的迹象或征兆,常与自然现象或健康状态相关。
“Fever is often a sign of infection.”
(发烧常常是感染的征兆。)
“The first signs of spring are appearing.”
(春天的最初迹象正在显现。)
verb
❶ 通过书写姓名或特定符号来表示同意、确认或授权,常用于合同或文件。
“Please sign your name on the dotted line.”
(请在虚线处签上你的名字。)
“The artist signed the painting in the corner.”
(艺术家在画作角落签了名。)
❶ 用手势或动作向他人传递信息,特别是当无法用语言沟通时。
“The referee signed for a penalty.”
(裁判示意判罚点球。)
“She signed to me that she was ready.”
(她向我打手势表示准备好了。)
常见短语
sign up — 注册或报名参加某项活动、服务或组织,通常需要填写个人信息。
“I signed up for a cooking class next month.”
(我报名参加了下个月的烹饪课程。)
sign of the times — 指反映当前社会状况或时代特征的典型现象,常带有批评意味。
“People caring more about phones than conversation is a sign of the times.”
(人们更关心手机而非交谈,这是时代的特征。)
sign off — 结束工作或广播节目,也指在文件上完成最终确认。
“The radio host signed off with his usual catchphrase.”
(电台主持用他惯用的结束语完成了播报。)