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Tracing “”…
Where does the word "sign" come from? It comes from Latin signum, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "sign" come from? It comes from Latin signum, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Sign’s story begins in Latin: signum meant “mark, token.” The root of 'signal' and 'signature'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as signe. A mark or miracle. It reached English by 1200s as sign. Road 'signs' date from the 1800s. Today, sign means a gesture or symbol conveying meaning.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient signum "mark, token", the root of 'signal' and 'signature'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval signe "sign", a mark or miracle.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s sign "mark", road 'signs' date from the 1800s.