signifier
|sig/ni/fi/er|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˈsɪɡnɪˌfaɪər/
🇬🇧
/ˈsɪɡnɪˌfaɪə/
symbolic representation
Etymology
Etymology Information
'signifier' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'significare,' where 'signum' meant 'sign' and 'facere' meant 'to make.'
Historical Evolution
'significare' transformed into the Old French word 'signifier,' and eventually became the modern English word 'signifier' through Middle English.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to make a sign,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a symbol or representation.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a signifier is a symbol, sound, or image that represents an underlying concept or meaning.
In linguistics, the word 'tree' is a signifier for the concept of a tree.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/02/03 01:54