signum

signum, i, n. [perh. Sanscr. sag-, to cling to, adhere; cf. sigilla].

• In gen., a mark, token, sign, indication (very frequent in all styles and periods; cf. insigne): meo patri torulus inerit aureus Sub petaso: id signum Amphitruoni non erit, Plaut. Am. prol. 145 sq.: ut eam (nutricem) adducam et signa ostendam haec, i. e. crepundia, Ter. Eun. 808; 914: ut fures earum rerum, quas ceperunt, signa commutant, etc., Cic. Fin. 5, 25, 74; so (with notae) id. de Or. 2, 41, 174; id. Lael. 17, 62; cf.: omne probabile aut signum est aut credibile ... Signum est, quod sub sensum aliquem cadit et quiddam significat, quod ex ipso profectum videtur, etc., id. Inv. 1, 30, 47 sq.: aut pecori signum aut numeros inpressit acervis, Verg. G. 1, 263; cf.: servitii signum cervice gerens, Ov. M. 3, 16: jaculo mihi vulnera fecit.—Signa vides: apparet adhuc vetus ecce cicatrix, Ov. M. 12, 444: metam Constituit signum nautis pater, unde reverti Scirent, etc., Verg. A. 5, 130: scutum signi gratia positum, Quint. 6, 3, 38: signa pedum, tracks, prints, Ov. M. 4, 543; and simply signa, Verg. A. 8, 212 al.: oculis mihi signum dedit, Ne se appellarem, Plaut. Mil. 2, 1, 45 (123): dare, Ter. Eun. 781: dicere deos gallis signum dedisse cantandi, Cic. Div. 2, 26, 57 al.: signa esse ad salutem, Ter. And. 482: animi pudentis signum, id. Heaut. 120: color pudoris signum, id. And. 878: signa doloris ostendere, Cic. de Or. 2, 45, 190: mortis dare, Lucr. 6, 1182: timoris mittere, to exhibit, display, Caes. B. C. 1, 71 et saep.—With obj.-clause: magnum hoc quoque signum est, dominam esse extra noxiam, Ter. Heaut. 298; Nep. Att. 17, 2.—In predic. gen. with neutr. pron.: hoc est signi; ubi primum poterit, se illinc subducet, Ter. Eun. 628: id erit signi me invitum facere, quod, etc., Cic. Rosc. Am. 30, 83; Auct. Her. 4, 5, 8; Cato R. R. 38, 4; 88, 2: nil tamen est signi, Lucr. 5, 918; cf.: quid signi? Cic. Cael. 16, 38, 2.— Hence, a surname, epithet (rare): huic signum exercitus apposuit, Vop. Am. 6; cf. Capitol. Gord. 4.—
• II In partic.
• • A In milit. lang.
  • • 1 The distinctive sign of a division of an army.
    • • a A military standard, ensign, banner (including the aquila): signifero interfecto, signo amisso, Caes. B. G. 2, 25: ut neque signiferi viam, nec signa milites cernerent, Liv. 33, 7: Hasdrubal ut procul signa legionum fulgentia vidit, id. 28, 14; 22, 21; Col. 9, 9, 4: inter signa militaria, Hor. Epod. 9, 15: cum unius signi militibus pergit ire, Liv. 33, 1: signa militaria ex proelio relata, Caes. B. C. 3, 99; so, militaria, id. B. G. 7, 2; Plin. 33, 33, 19, § 58.— Hence the expressions: signa sequi, to follow the standards, to march in military order, Sall. J. 80, 2; Liv. 24, 48, 11: signa subsequi, to keep in order of battle, Caes. B. G. 4, 26: signa observare, Sall. J. 51, 1: signa servare, Liv. 8, 34, 10; Veg. Mil. 1, 9: ab signis discedere, to desert the standards, leave the ranks, Caes. B. G. 5, 16; 5, 33 fin.; id. B. C. 1, 44; Liv. 25, 20 al.; cf.: ab ordinibus signisque discedere, Front. Strat. 1, 5, 3: signa relinquere, to desert, Sall. C. 9, 4; Liv. 5, 6 al.: signa deserere, Liv. 8, 34, 9: signa ferre, i. e. to break up the camp, Caes. B. G. 1, 39 fin.; 1, 40; Liv. 2, 49, 3; 10, 5 al.; for which: movere signa, id. 1, 14, 9; 27, 2, 12; Verg. G. 3, 236; and: tollere, Vell. 2, 61, 2; Auct. B. Alex. 57, 1; but: ferte signa in hostem, attack, Liv. 9, 23, 13: signa constituere, to halt, Caes. B. G. 7, 47; cf.: infestis contra hostes signis constiterunt, id. ib. 7, 51: signa proferre, to advance, Liv. 4, 32, 10: signa convertere, to wheel, turn, or face about, Caes. B. G. 1, 25 fin.; 2, 26: Liv. 8, 11; 2, 14; 4, 29; for which, vertere signa, id. 9, 35: signa inferre (in aliquem), to advance to the attack, make an assault, Caes. B. G. 1, 25 fin.; 2, 26; 7, 67; id. B. C. 2, 42; Cic. Phil. 5, 8, 23; Sall. J. 56, 5; Liv. 2, 53; 9, 27; 44, 12 al; cf.: signa conferre cum aliquo, to engage with, engage in close fight, Cic. Att. 7, 5, 5; id. Pis. 21, 49; and cf.: collatis signis pugnare, superare aliquem, etc., Plaut. Cas. 2, 5, 44 (352); Liv. 1, 33; 2, 50; Cic. Imp. Pomp. 23, 66; but conferre signa also means simply to bring the standards together (to one place), Caes. B. G. 7, 2; 2, 25; Liv. 37, 21: signa in laevum cornu confert, concentrates his troops, id. 7, 15, 4: signa transferre, to desert, Caes. B. C. 1, 24: signa convellere, to take up the standards, which had been fixed in the ground, Liv. 3, 7, 3; 3, 54, 10; 5, 37, 4; so, vellere signa, id. 3, 50, 11; Verg. G. 4, 108: revellere signa, Luc. 7, 77; cf.: signa figere, to encamp, Amm.27, 10, 9: defigere signa, Sil. 8, 625: sub signis ducere legiones, ire, esse, etc., together, in order, in rank and file, Plaut. Ps. 2, 4, 71 (764) (with ordine); Cic. Att. 16, 8, 2; Liv. 3, 51; Tac. H. 2, 14: signa hostium turbare, to throw into disorder, Liv. 9, 73: ante signa, before the army, id. 5, 18; 6, 7; 7, 16: post signa, id. 2, 49.—
      • • β Transf., in gen.: infestis prope signis inferuntur Galli in Fonteium, Cic. Font. 20, 44 (16, 34).—
      • b Esp., the standard or ensign of single cohorts and maniples (opp. aquila, the standard of the entire legion): cum fasces, cum tubas, cum signa militaria, cum aquilam illam argenteam ... scirem esse praemissam, Cic. Cat. 2, 6, 13; Galb. ap. Cic. Fam. 10, 30, 5; Suet. Calig. 14 fin. Oud.; Tac. A. 1, 18; id. H. 2, 29 fin.; Plin. 13, 3, 4, § 23; Luc. 1, 6; 1, 224 al. (cf. aquila, 2.): manipulos exercitus minimas manus quae unum sequuntur signum, Varr. L. L. 5, § 88 Müll.—
      • • β Meton., a cohort, a maniple: octo cohortes in fronte constituit, reliquarum signa in subsidio artius collocat, Sall. C. 59, 2; Liv. 8, 9; 25, 23 fin.; 33, 1; 27, 14; 28, 14; Auct. B. Hisp. 18, 3.—
    • 2 A sign, signal; a watchword, password, given by a wind-instrument, by the tessera, or otherwise: signum tubā dare, Caes. B. G. 2, 20; 7, 81: proelii committendi dare, id. ib. 2, 21: recipiendi dare, id. ib. 7, 52: receptui dare, Liv. 4, 31; 26, 45; 3, 22; cf. Cic. Rep. 1, 2, 3: signum dare ut, etc., Liv. 2, 20; 4, 39: proelii exposcere, Caes. B. G. 7, 19: concinere, id. B. C. 3, 92 fin.; Liv. 30, 5; cf. Tac. A. 1, 68: canere, Sall. C. 59, 1; id. J. 99, 1; Liv. 1, 1; 4, 31; 27, 47; Cic. Rep. 1, 3, 3 al. (v. cano).—For the chariot race: signum mittendis quadrigis dare, Liv. 8, 40, 3: signum mittere, Enn. ap. Cic. Div. 1, 48, 107: signo Felicitatis dato, the word, watchword, Felicitas, Auct. B. Afr. 83: signum petere, Suet. Calig. 56; id. Claud. 42; id. Ner. 9; cf.: it bello tessera signum, Verg. A. 7, 637.—Transf.: tu illam (virtutem) jubes signum petere, i.e. to be in subjection, Sen. Ben. 4, 2, 2.—
  • B A sign or token of any thing to come; a prognostic, symptom (cf.: portentum, indicium): ipse et equus ejus repente concidit: nec eam rem habuit religioni, objecto signo, ut peritis videbatur, ne committeret proelium, Cic. Div. 1, 35, 77: medici signa quaedam habent ex venis et ex spiritu aegroti, id. ib. 2, 70, 145; cf. Verg. G. 3, 440; 3, 503; 4, 253; Cels. 2, 3: prospera signa dare, Ov. H. 18 (19), 152.—
  • C An image, as a work of art; a figure, statue, picture, etc. (syn.: effigies, imago, simulacrum); inerant (classi) signa expressa, Titani quomodo, etc., Naev. 2, 13: statuas deorum, exempla earum facierum, signa domi pro supellectile statuere, Cato ap. Prisc. p. 782 P.: signum pictum in pariete, Plaut. Merc. 2, 2, 44 (315): signum in fano, id. Rud. 2, 7, 2 (560): aëna signa, Lucr. 1, 318: ante signum Jovis Statoris concidit, Cic. Div. 1, 35, 77: signum aeneum, marmoreum, eburneum, id. Verr. 2, 4, 1, § 1; cf. id. Off. 1, 41, 147; Hor. Ep. 2, 1, 248: cratera impressum signis, Verg. A. 5, 536; 5, 267; 9, 263: (vestis) auro signisque ingentibus apta, Lucr. 5, 1428: ex ornatis aedibus per aulaea et signa, Sall. H. 2, 23, 2 Dietsch: pallam signis auroque rigentem, Verg. A. 1, 648: e Pario formatum marmore signum, Ov. M. 3, 419; cf. id. ib. 5, 183; 12, 398: statuas, signa, picturas commendet, Plin. Ep. 1, 20, 5.—
  • D An image or device on a seal-ring; a seal, signet: ostendi tabellas Lentulo, et quaesivi, cognosceretne signum. Annuit. Est vero, inquam, notum signum, imago avi tui, etc., Cic. Cat. 3, 5, 10: (patera) in cistulā obsignata signo est, Plaut. Am. 1, 1, 265 (417); cf. Cic. Verr. 2, 1, 45, § 117: tabulae maximae signis hominum nobilium consignantur, id. Quint. 6, 25: imprimat his signa tabellis, Hor. S. 2, 6, 38: litterae integris signis praetoribus traduntur, Cic. Cat. 3, 3, 6; Sall. C. 47, 3: signo laeso non insanire lagenae, Hor. Ep. 2, 2, 134: volumen sub signo habere, to have under seal, Cic. Att. 9, 10, 4; cf.: sub signo claustrisque rei publicae positum vectigal, id. Agr. 1, 7, 21: nec pacta conventaque inpressis signis custodirentur, Sen. Ben. 3, 15, 1: cum sol duodena peregit signa, Ov. M. 13, 618.—
  • E A sign in the heavens, a constellation (cf. sidus): caeli subter labentia signa, Lucr. 1, 2: loca caelio Omnia, dispositis signis ornata, id. 5, 695: signorum ortus et obitus, Cic. Inv. 1, 34, 59: signis omnibus ad idem principium stellisque revocatis, id. Rep. 6, 22, 24: in signo leonis, id. Div. 1, 53, 121: signorum obitus speculari et ortus, Verg. G. 1, 257; id. A. 7, 138: signum pluviale Capellae, Ov. F. 5, 113: ponemusque suos ad vaga signa dies, id. ib. 1, 310: nox caelo diffundere signa parabat, Hor. S. 1, 5, 10; cf. id. C. 2, 8, 11.—
• F Miraculous works (eccl. Lat.), Vulg. Dan. 3, 99; id. Matt. 24, 24; id. Joan. 2, 11 et saep.

sīgnum, ī, n. (altlat. seignom), das Zeichen, Abzeichen, Kennzeichen, Merkmal u. dgl., I) im allg., verb. signa et notae locorum, Cic.: signum sanguinis, id est signum crucis, quā (Christus) sanguinem fudit, in sua fronte conscribere, Lact.: imponere fronti immortale signum (crucis), Lact.: liminibus suis de sanguine agni candidi signum imponere, Lact.: ponere signa novis praeceptis, die neuen L. sich anmerken, niederschreiben, Hor.: crucis signum impingere in labiis, das Kr. machen, Hieron.: signum imprimere pecori, Verg.: iaculo mihi vulnera fecit; signa vides, Ov.: signa pedum sequi, den Spuren, Ov.: u. so bl. signa sequi, Verg. – oculis mihi signum dedit, ne se appellarem, Plaut.: deos gallis signum dedisse cantandi, Cic – parva dare mutato signa calore, Spuren inneren Grames auf dem Gesichte tragen, Prop. – quae assolent signa esse ad salutem, Ter.: signa doloris ostendere, Cic.: signa timoris mittere (äußern), Caes.

II) insbes.: A) als milit. t. t.: 1) das Abzeichen der Heeresabteilungen, das Feldzeichen, das Banner, die Fahne, a) der größeren Heeresabteilungen, der Legionen usw.: signa militaria, Caes. u. Plin.: signa legionum fulgentia, Liv.: signa amittere, Caes.: signa relinquere, fahnenflüchtig werden, Sall.; und ähnlich ab signis discedere, Caes. u.a.: signa ferre, aufbrechen, Caes.: ebenso signa movere, Liv., signa movere e castris, Liv., u. signa tollere, Auct. b. Alex. u. Vell. (vgl. signis militaribus effossis, quae tolli non poterant, Liv. epit.): signa convelli iubere, Befehl zum Aufbruch erteilen, Liv. – signa inferre, zum Angriff anrücken, angreifen, absol., Caes., portae, Liv., in hostes, Caes., adversus Faliscos, contra Veientem, Liv. – signa convertere, kehrtmachen = eine Schwenkung machen, Caes. u. Liv.: conversa signa inferre, mit einer Frontveränderung angreifen, Caes.: signa conferre, α) im guten Sinne, die F. zusammennehmen, sie (an einem Orte, Punkte) vereinigen, Caes. u. Liv.: ad alqm, zu jmd. stoßen, Liv. – β) im üblen Sinne, handgemein werden, cum Alexandrinis, Cic.: cum hoste Liv.: in laevum cornu, Liv.: u. dah. collatis signis certare od. dimicare, ein förmliches Treffen liefern, Liv.: collatis signis superare hostem, in einem förml. Tr., Cic. – sub signis ducere legionem, in Reih' u. Glied, geordnet, Cic.: ebenso sub signis urbem intrare, Liv.: quingenti Pannonii, nondum sub signis, eine ungeordnete Schar, Tac. – übtr., signa conferre, sich in einen Streit einlassen, Cic. ad Att. 7, 5, 5: infestis signis inferuntur Galli in Fonteium, Cic. Font. 34. – b) der einzelnen Kohorten u. Manipeln (Ggstz. aquila, das Hauptlegionszeichen): s. militaria... aquila, Cic. Cat. 2, 13. – dah. übtr. wie unser Fähnlein = kleine Heeresabteilung, signa et ordines (und Manipeln) od. signa ordinesque, Liv. (s. M. Müller Anh. II zu Liv. 2, 59, 7): octo cohortes... reliqua signa, Sall.: terror primo Latinorum signa turbavit, Liv.: signa ordinesque turbarunt, Liv. – 2) das vom Feldherrn gegebene Zeichen, Signal, der Befehl, a) durch eine auf dem Feldherrnzelte aufgesteckte rote Fahne (vexillum), s. pugnae proponere, Liv.: s. simul itineris pugnaeque proponere, Liv.: signum pugnae dare, Iustin. – b) mit der Tuba usw., s. tubā dare, Caes.: dare s. proelii committendi, recipiendi, Caes.: s. proelii exposcere, Caes.: s. canere, Sall.; vgl. ea signa, quae receptui canunt, Cic. – c) das Losungswort, die Parole (vgl. Nipperd. Tac. ann. 13, 2 u. Heräus Tac. hist. 1, 38, 9 u. 3, 73, 17), consuerat signum petenti ›Priapum‹ aut ›Venerem‹ dare, die Parole Priapus od. Venus, Suet. Cal. 56, 2: cedo signum, Plaut.: it bello tessera s., Verg.: signum militiae petenti tribuno Optimae matris dedit, Tac.: u. so signum excubanti tribuno dedit Optimam matrem, Suet.: signo Felicitatis dato, Auct. b. Afr. – übtr., tu illam (virtutem) iubes signum petere, sich das Losungswort geben lassen (= einem Höheren untergeordnet sein), Sen. de ben. 4, 2. § 2. – B) das vom Prätor od. Konsul beim Wettrennen im Zirkus mit einer Flagge (mappa) gegebene Zeichen zum Auslaufen der Rennwagen, signum mittendis quadrigis dare, Liv. 8, 40, 3: signum mittere, Enn. ann. 84. – C) das Kennzeichen des Zukünftigen, Wahrzeichen, Vorzeichen, s. se obicit, Cic.: medici signa habent ex venis, Cic. – D) das Zeichen = der Beweis, signa rerum, sachliche Beweise (Ggstz. argumenta, Gründe), Quint.: de ea re signa atque argumenta paucis verbis eloquar, Plaut.: haec utrum abundantis an egentis signa sunt? Cic.: hoc signi erit, ubi calx cocta erit, summos lapides coctos esse oportebit, Cato: hoc est signi, ubi primum poterit, se illinc subducet scio, Ter.: u. so hoc signi est u. id signi est (erit) mit folg. Acc. u. Infin., Cornif. rhet. u. Cic. (s. Halm Cic. Rosc. Am. 83): u. signum est m. folg. Acc. u. Infin., magnum hoc quoque signum est dominam esse extra noxiam, Ter.: quod est signum nullam umquam inter eos querimoniam intercessisse, Nep.: quae signa sunt omnia (lauter Beweise, daß) non mediocri quodam consilio naturam mundi administrari, Cic. – E) das durch Kunst gearbeitete Bild, Bildnis, die Figur, die Bildsäule (das Standbild), bes. einer Gottheit, signa ahena, Lucr.: s. aëneum, marmoreum, eburneum, Cic.: formatum marmore, Ov.: pictum, Plaut.: palla signis auroque rigens, Verg.: pictores et ii qui signa fabricantur (Bildhauer), Cic. – dah.: a) das Bild im Petschaft, das Siegel, s. notum, imago avi, Cic.: s. adulterinum, Liv.: s. lagoenae laesum, Hor.: signa integra, Cic.: sub signo habere, unter Siegel haben, Cic.: sub signo claustrisque, Cic. – b) dasSternbild, Gestirn, signorum ortus et obitus, Cic.: signa omnia stellaeque, Cic.: s. leonis, Cic.: brumale s., Zeichen des Steinbocks, Cic.: s. pluviale capellae, Ov.: astrorum micantium splendentia signa, Lact.: nox caelo diffundere signa parabat, Hor. – F) der Beiname, Spitzname, Capit. Gord. 4, 8. Vopisc. Aurel. 6, 2. Corp. inscr. Lat. 8, 4411. Vgl. Mommsen im Hermes 1, 158. Anm.

1 signum v. cycnus

2 signum [CL] 1 mark of ownership: a (on artefact); b (as brand on livestock); c (on boundary). a 1294 salserius signatur de ~o ‥ regis Gaol Del. 37/1 m. 5d.; 1331 ~um ferreum parvum ad vasa et utensilia (Invent.) Arch. J. LIII 274.  b 1331 ~um ferreum magnum pro pullanis, j. ~um ferreum minus ad animalia minora signanda, j (Invent.) Arch. J. LIII 274; 1357 omnes illos cignos ‥ volantes vel non volantes quos ~o ipsius principis inveniri contigerit esse signatos Pat 252 m. 3d.; vituli, porcelli et agni ‥ ~o notorio insignentur distincte ‥ quo a ceteris poterint distingui Cart. Glouc. III 216.  c 789 (12c) terram ‥ cum certissimis ‥ limitibus quae ‥ fossata ‥ et notis ~is designatur (v. fossatum 3a); 1241 cum ipsi ‥ sortiti essent quidam seilones terre ‥ et bunde et singna essent ibi posita ‥ ammovit bundas et signa CurR XVI 1408 (cf. ib.: ipse non ammovit bundas et merkas positas inter terras); 1278 prout fovee et fossata et ~a de consensu parcium in dictis brueris sunt facta Cart. Chester 309 p. 208; 1349 habebit ‥ occidentalem partem gardini cum aqua usque ad quoddam pittum quod ponitur pro ~o inter idem gardinum et gardinum quod accidit parti boriali IPM 106/6 m. 2. 2 mark written, impressed, or affixed to indicate production or sale. 1259 habuit ij pannos vermilones quorum vendidit meliorem Roberto ‥ et R. de ipso panno cepit de una extremitate ~um Rec. Leic. I 86; 1278 quilibet pistor ~um suum habeat super †panis suam [sic MS] ut possit sciri cujus est Rec. Coventry 31; 1289 de Galfrido Flour pistore xx s. ‥ quia habuit quoddam ~um super panem suum quod fuit ~um vicini sui Mem. Beverley II 323; 1366 de cxxxviij doliis ‥ vini ‥ ~is diversorum mercatorum, a quibus empta fuerant, signatis Cl 204 m. 18; 1367 ea [bona] que dicti magister ‥ per ~a, metas, vel alias evidencias veraces probare possent fuisse eorundem Cl 205 m. 26; 1508 antequam ‥ signarent ‥ aliquod stannum cum dicto ~o (v. impressare 2a). 3 as mark for recognition of person: a (on branded criminal); b (as badge or livery); c (as her. device or charge). a si servus ceciderit in judicio ferri aut aque criminis ~um prima vice fiet ei (Inst. Cnuti) GAS 337.  b tale ~um Hercules in suo clipeo ‥ gerebat Lib. Monstr. III 3; s1390 petitum est a plebeis, ut ~a, alias stigmata, dominorum, quae gestabant ipsi et eorum famuli, deponerentur, eo quod ‥ qui adepti fuerant ~a talia, effecti fuerant tyranni ‥ V. Ric. II 121; isti ‥ ~a regalia in scapulis, album cervum quasi resurgentem, deferebant Dieul. f. 144v; 1542 lxx hominibus dare possit lxx liberatas panne lanie vel ~a vel bagias cuicumque qui de ipso recipere voluerit ‥ liberatas, ~a vel bagias ad ipsum serviendum (Pat) Foed. XIV 764.  c qualia ~a in armis portanda sunt et qualiter ac quid per ipsa ~a representatur Bad. Aur. 95; 1398 standarda sive ~a armorum hujusmodi dominorum ponant et infigant, ad effectum quod clarius sciri poterit cui constant (Cl) RParl III 410b; 1404 quod servientes clavarum majoris et vicecomitum ‥ clavas suas auratas vel argenteas aut argentatas et ~o armorum nostrorum ornatas ‥ deferre valeant Rec. Norw. I 35; jam sequitur videre de diversis ~is in armis depictis et quid per illa ~a intelligere possunt inspicientes. et dicatis primo quod ~um dicitur diffinitive illud quod seipsum offert visui et aliud representat intellectui Upton 123; vestimentorum ‥ compositorum meis ~is, sc. nudi fodentis in campo nigro Ad. Usk 56. 4 banner, ensign. b (by metonymy) troops. ~a, i. aquilarum capita habentia vel hominum sive draconum et ita in astilibus longissimis portabantur Comm. Cant. I 404; virtutes ‥ / ‥ gestantes bellica signa / cassida cum thoracis Aldh. VirgV 2462; vexillum, ~um militiae GlC U 67; victrices ducentia signa cohortes / explicat in ventum, vexilla ferotia centum W. Malm. GR II 135; s1264 rex ‥ progreditur vexillis explicatis, precedente eum ~o regio, indicium mortis pretendente quod ‘Draconem’ vocant Rish. 26; 1383 cum uno ~o de albo velweto Ac. Durh. 427.  b dum victricibus ~is Willelmi ‥ triumphata dives Anglia cessit Osb. Clar. V. Ed. Conf. 22. 5 board with picture or device, sign hanging outside tavern or other place of business. b (ad or apud ~um) at the sign of. 1278 quod nulla braciatrix vendat cervisiam sine ~o nisi infirmis et viatoribus Rec. Coventry 31; 1373 injunctum est omnibus brasiatoribus ville ‥ quod ponant ~um extra dum habent cervis' ad vendend' Hal. Durh. 119; 1396 sunt communes tipelers et vendunt sine ~o opposito, contra assisam Rec. Nott. I 314; 1396 vendit celiam in domo sua propria sine ~o exposito Ib. I 316.  b 1459 ad ~um Tauri in Conyngstrete Mem. York II 203; hospes meus apud ~um Le George in Bodman W. Worc. Itin. 90; 1494 de inhonesta gestura et indecente colloquio habito cum honesta muliere apud ~um nostrum de Flowr' de Loyse Reg. Merton 186. 6 object that marks particular place: a landmark. b buoy. a locus ille ubi ‥ Osuald ~um sanctae crucis erexit. ‥ fertur quia facta ‥ cruce ac forea praeparata in qua statui deberet, ipse ‥ erectam tenuerit donec ‥ figeretur Bede HE III 2 p. 129; intellexit aliquid mirae sanctitatis huic loco ‥ inesse et posito ibi ~o ‥ ascendit equum Ib. III 9 p. 146; 1258 signum ‥ in portu de Grimmesby (v. evidentia 4).  b 1297 reddunt compotum ‥ et in duobus ~is videlicet boyes vij d. KR Ac 5/21 m. 3; inquiratur de hiis qui furantur, abscindunt vel auferunt ~um ancore fixe, quod vulgariter appellatur boy BBAdm I 228. 7 mark or device (usu. w. gen.): a (~um Christi or crucis) sign of Christ, cross or chi-rho. b (~um crucis assumere or sim.) to take the sign of the cross, to go on crusade; c (w. ref. to the cross of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem). d (~um Salomonis) sign of Solomon, usu. identified as pentangle. a labarum tuum quod ~o Christi ex auro et gemmis est pictum Aldh. VirgP 25; det eis omnibus osculari textum s. Evangelii et ~um s. crucis (Quad.) GAS 387; s1189 portabat sceptrum regale in cujus summitate erat ~um crucis aureum M. Par. Maj. II 349.  b 1234 ut ‥ suscipiant quicunque voluerint ~um crucis (Lit. Papae) M. Par. Maj. III 285; signum / mox crucis assumpsit, cupiens exsolvere dignum / obsequium Christo, qui se liberavit ab isto / turbine bellorum; sequitur pia turba virorum Wykes Vers. p. 130; signum crucis ‥ in humeris suis imprimi fecit Bower IX 62.  c 1284 espedores ospitalis foren[seci] ‥ non possunt singno singnari absque voluntate dominorum si fuerint villani ‥ IMisc 43 (15).  d nato instante si visitetur a persona ~um Salamonis habente ‥ puer moritur ‥. si ‥ pregnans super transeat ~um Salamonis abortitur cito M. Scot Phys. 20. 8 (as mark of authentication): a sign (to confirm authority of document). b (~um manuale) sign made by hand, sign manual. c (~um sanctae crucis or sim.) sign of the cross (placed usu. before name of witness). d (~um notarii or sim.) sign of a notary. a principum quorum nomina et ~a subter scripta habentur Ord. Vit. III 2 p. 39.  b fidem manuali ~o facillime datam ‥ ab ipso suscepi Gir. Symb. I 1 p. 204; 1453 sicut continetur in una cedula signo manuali ‥ regine signata (KR Ac) JRL Bull. XLII 118; scriptis ‥ suo ‥ sigillo armorum una cum ~o manuali suo signatis Fortescue Def. Lanc. 5; ~um meum manuale in testimonium ejusdem hic apponendo BBAdm I 242.  c 679 pro confirmatione [donationis] ‥ manu propria ~um sanctae crucis expressi et testes ut subscriberent rogavi CS 45; 963 ~o salutifero hanc legalem largicionem prenotavi CS 1112; si scribendi scientiam habet, professionem suam scribat aut si nescit scribere, alium roget qui pro se scribat; ipse tamen in fine ipsius professionis ~um crucis faciat Lanfr. Const. 170; †604 (12c) hoc ‥ signo sanctae crucis confirmavi CS 3; prescriptis ‥ propriis manibus ~um sancte crucis subscripsimus Feod. Durh. 127n.  d 1268 ego Henricus Astensis imperiali auctoritate public notarius hiis omnibus interfui, scripsi, publicavi ac meo ~o consueto signavi rogatus C. Cheney, Notaries Public in England in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries (Oxford, 1972) p. 169; 1455 hoc presens publicum decretale instrumentum manu michi satis recogniti notarii scriptum et signatum ~o Melrose 570; 1549 notarii admissi imprimant vel subscribant sua ~a Conc. Scot. II 112; ~um etiam notariatus est huic instrumento apponendum. nam quilibet notarius solet habere quoddam speciale et particulare ~um, ut ex ipso ~o cognosci possit quis notarius instrumentum confecit Praxis 289. 9 matrix or impression of a signet, seal, or stamp; b (royal); c (eccl.); d (spec. as ~um secretum). sigillum, ~um anuli GlC S 327; c1240 presenti scripto ~um sigilli mei apposui Cart. Mont. S. Mich. 27; 1255 dominus G. ‥ et dominus E. ‥ singna sua apposuerunt RGasc I sup. 50; 1261 singnum suum, cujus impressio fuit quoddam scutum de armis suis propriis KR Mem 34 r. 8d.; nec sculptori anuli licere tenere ~um anuli venditi W. Burley Vit. Phil. 16.  b Willelmo de Skelton deferenti literas regis sub ~o ‥ archiepiscopo Cantuarensi (AcWardr) TR Bk 203 p. 270.  c carta ‥ ~is pontificum et abbatum ‥ munita, simul cum lamina plumbea Canon. G. Sempr. f. 112v; c1228 afferre mensuras ‥ in curiam prioris, sc. rasuras et galones, et quando recta erant ~o prioris signari Feod. Durh. 299.  d ? 1158 ~um secretum E. Ch. Ox. 34n.. 10 matrix or impression of a seal used to authenticate weight or measure or to confirm payment of duty on merchandise. 1234 omnes bussell' et omnes gallon' infra dictas metas debent signari de quodam ~o ferri domini portus. et ~um illud debet tradi ad custodiam duobus hominibus legalibus (DL Misc. Bk.) Eng. Justice 136; 1301 quod omnes busseli, lagene vini et servisie, et omnes alie mensure sigillantur cum singno ‥ regis Gild Merch. II 295; a1414 omnes homines venientes cum lanis coriis vel pellibus vendendis sine ~o, quod vocatur coket ‥ Foed. VIII 573; 1456 [the stamp] ~um [with which measures shall be sealed shall remain in keeping of the mayor by virtue of his office of clerk of the market] Rec. Norw. I 285; 1478 signando vel signari faciendo quodcumque sarplerium ‥ illis ~o vel ~is per dominum regem ad hoc ordinatis ‥ talibus forma et modo, quod ~um vel ~a sic apposita nequeant tolli sine ruptura sarplerii Foed. XII 81. 11 mark, device, or symbol that has particular significance; b (mus.). c diagram, drawing. Judaei per x loca in fimbriis suis faciebant ~a pro misterio decalogi Comm. Cant. II 20; prosodia est ~um sermonis iter rectum faciens legenti. sunt ‥ prosodiae x: acutus, gravis etc. Aldh. PR 141; superficies triangula laterum et angulorum equalium in circulo designetur supra cujus summitates A et G ~a ponantur Adel. Elem. IV 16.  b plica nihil aliud est quam ~um dividens sonum in sono diverso Garl. Mus. Mens. 51; abbreviacio erat facta per ~a materialia a tempore Perotini Magni et parum ante Mens. & Disc. (Anon. IV) 50; brevis ‥ habet novem minimas et formari debent ut minores semibreves, sed rotundum ~um post se habent Hauboys 262; ~um cantus perfecti ‥ est circulus cum punctu medio ‥ quia circulus denotat modum, punctus ‥ temporis perfeccionem Wals. Mus. Mens. 84.  c quoniam non potest illud prodigiale portentum verbis describi, ~o demonstrativo figuratur M. Par. Maj. III 242. 12 that which stands for or represents something else, symbol. b quantifier. c instance. nomina velut ~a memorie excitativa Balsh. AD rec. 2 136; ~um est res que preter speciem visibilem quam ingerit sensibus facit aliud in cognitionem venire [cf. Aug. Doctr. Chr. II 1] S. Langton Quaest. 364; distinguit magister inter ~um et signatum, sicut inter imaginem et sanctum (Kyn.) Ziz. 65.  b cum dico ‘omnis homo currit’ hoc ‘omnis’ ‥ quod est ~um universale, non significat quod aliqua res ejus, quod est homo, sit universalis sed quod homo sit quoddam universale subjectum (Shirwood) GLA III 20; sive ‘~um’ accipiatur pro illo quod potest supponere in proposicione ‥ cujusmodi sunt categoremata, sive accipiatur ‘~um’ pro illo quod non potest supponere ‥ cujusmodi sunt syncategoremata Ockham Quodl. 470; ~um universale limitat terminum specificum simplicem ad supposicionem personalem Wycl. Ente 38.  c in primo ~o nature essencia ‥ videtur infinita intensive et ‥ in secundo ~o natura non erit finitabilis per esse Duns PW 74. 13 indication, sign. b (in ~um quod) as a sign that. c (of or from the past) trace. d (at a present time) miracle. e (for a future time) portent. f (med.) prognostic sign. ipsae vittae non tam longae nisi tantum ut ligari possint ob ~um recordationis, et ita viri faciunt; mulieres ‥ in digitis suis ligantes aliquid ut memorentur Comm. Cant. I 430; sic caro, mirandum fatu, putrescere nescit, / ‥ quod signum et species est virginitatis Aldh. VirgV 233; palma tui signum magni est, rex Christe, triumphi Alcuin Carm. 85. 5. 3; obductio ista serenitatis nobis ~um est, non tempestatis J. Ford Serm. 53. 6; absciditur de carne quam acceperat Christus in forma hominis, ut sit in eo quasi ~um latronis et cauterium transgressoris P. Blois Serm. 583B; dies precessit noctem, in ~um lapsus humani Eul. Hist. I 66.  b 1264 in ~um quod nulli parceretur partis adverse (Bell. Lewes) EHR XI 521; in ~um quod illorum [sc. Julii Caesaris etc.] sunt successores, omnes ‥ Caesares et Augusti vocabantur Ockham Pol. I 128.  c cruoris ~a extant hodie W. Malm. GP IV 156.  d signorum miraculis ‥ adornatus est [Albanus] Gildas EB 11; nec inter viros humilior Johanne, qui propter humilitatem suam nullum ~um voluit facere nisi praedicare et baptizare Comm. Cant. III 23; Samson ‥ quantis miraculorum ~is et virtutum rumoribus ‥ effulsisse devulgatur Aldh. VirgP 53; ab incolis loci illius solent opera virtutum et ~a miraculorum usque hodie narrari Bede HE III 8 p. 143; videntes ~a et mirabilia Domini Osb. Clar. V. Ed. Conf. 18 p. 101; innumera ‥ ~a et miracula cotidie divinitus fiunt Ord. Vit. VII 12 p. 217.  e quid ‥ perspicuum est ‥ vati post expletionem ~i ab eodem praedicti Gildas EB 77; tironem ‥ profetica ~a ‥ sequebantur Aldh. VirgP 30; praesagium, ~um GlC P 586; portenta et singna ‥ sunt visa Petrus Dial. 38; ~um in celo viderunt modo ensis fulminei figuratum W. Malm. GR IV 358.  f ut per aliqua ~a morbi genus medicus idem cognoscat Anselm (Ep. 39) III 150; si patiens tussiat tussi sicca et nil expuat, ~um est indigestionis Ric. Med. Signa 36. 14 gesture of particular significance or intended to convey meaning; b (w. ref. to sign language as used by the dumb); c (mon.); d (w. ref. to sign of the cross made over body as act of devotion). imposuit dexteram capiti ejus et an hoc ~um agnosceret requisivit Bede HE II 12 p. 110.  b consensus cohabitationis ‥ si sit legitimus, si certus, si liber, si per verba de presenti vel per ~a inter mutos P. Blois Ep. Sup. 57. 3.  c siqua loquenda sunt que ~is indicari nequeunt Inst. Sempr. *lv; sedentes ad mensam cum episcopo ‥ loqui possunt ‥ imperio ipsius episcopi nescientis ~a (Cust. Bury St. E.) HBS XCIX 20.  d pestiferum calicem ‥ / porrecta rupit dextra per signa salutis Aldh. VirgV 867; signans se ~o sanctae crucis reclinavit caput ad cervical Bede HE IV 22 p. 262; signo ‥ crucis frontem armavit Mir. Fridesw. 31; 1279 singnavit se singno crucis AssizeR Northumb 343. 15 signal, sign perceptible by sight or hearing to convey warning, direction, or command. b signal for battle, war-cry. accedat ‥ ad cantorem ‥ faciatque ~um incipiendi versus offerendae Lanfr. Const. 148; navigandi ~um dedit. ‥ schippe remos haud segniter arripuerunt Ord. Vit. XII 26 p. 413; malleolus in navi cum quo gubernator dat ~um nautis Osb. Glouc. Deriv. 429; 1335 de communi ~o per ignem super montes ‥ faciendo, invasione Scotorum ‥ imminere credita RScot 363b.  b Franci ‥ ~um Christianum letis fragoribus ingeminant, “Deus vult! Deus vult!” W. Malm. GR IV 363; acclamato ~o militari “Deus vult!” ‥ ordines hostium invadunt, sociis ut ex altera parte feriant innuentes Ib. IV 357; clangor lituorum pugne ~a utrinque cecinit Ord. Vit. III 14 p. 147; insectantibus callide mixti ~um triumphantium vociferati sunt Ib. XII 19 p. 363. 16 sound of bell as signal (usu. mon.). b (transf.) bell. c (~um pulsare) to ring a bell. facto jam ~o diei hore tertiae V. Cuthb. II 2; hac nocte, quando ~um [gl.: cnyll] audivi Ælf. Coll. 101; hac ‥ hora debet religiosus surgere ad Deum orandum ‥ audito sino ecclesiastico sicut surgit miles audito regis edicto J. Waleys V. Relig. 6.  b oratio ad ~um aecclesiae benedicendum: primitus aspargatur ~um aqua benedicta Egb. Pont. 117; minimi ~i ad designandum capitulum incipiente sono, fratres ‥ surgere ‥ debent Lanfr. Const. 173; vidit monachum cujus id cure erat funem ~i tenere quo monachos ammoneret surgere W. Malm. GP I 46; 11‥ ad ecclesiam S. Johannis apud Beverlacum turrim lapideam ‥ adjecit et in ea duo precipua ~a posuit Chr. Pont. Ebor. A 344; 1520 ~um ‥ magnum in clocario posuit Invent. Ch. Ch. 44.  c ~um in portu pulsatum audierunt Felix Guthl. 52; cum inceperint Kyrieleison, pulsentur omnia ~a Lanfr. Const. 125; pulsato ~o ‥ patris nostri, quod ipse manibus suis olim fecisse dicebatur ‥ concurrit universa civitas Osb. Mir. Dunst. 11. 17 target; b (fig., w. ref. to Thren. iii 12). adversarii ‥ quasi ludendo ad ~um eum toto corpore telis confodiunt Abbo Edm. 10; verbum Job justi ‥: / signum factus sum sagittabile [cf. Job vi 4] J. Howd. Ph. 659; sicut sagitta mittitur a sagittante ad ~um R. Orford Sciendum 97; cum quis ‥ ad ~um aliquod sagittaverit, primus intencionis sue finis est ~um illud ferire telo suo Fortescue NLN I 45.  b 1168 expositus tanquam ~um ad sagittam J. Sal. Ep. 281 (250 p. 506); consedi ~um ad sagittam Map NC I 31 f. 23; [Eadmundus] palo ‥ alligatur, ubi ‥ stetit quasi ~um ad sagittas Chr. Wallingf. 24; papa tanquam ~um est positus ad sagittam, et multos habet offendere Ockham Dial. 616; s1402 dicens eum ‥ debere mittere sagittarios et Scotos quasi ~um ad sagittas posse de facili penetrare Bower XV 14. 18 figure, image, statue. et mox stare facit bacchantes agmine turmas, / funditus ut nullus cum plantis pergeret usquam; / sed cuncti pariter velut aenea signa rigebant Aldh. VirgV 1527. 19 sign of the zodiac, one of twelve equal parts into which the zodiac is divided, or constellation with which each part is traditionally associated; b (applied to pyramid-shaped area of sky based on each zone of the zodiac). xij ponebant ‥ pro duodecim ~is in caelo Comm. Cant. I 396; 671 de zodiaco, xij ~orum circulo, quae vertigine caeli volvuntur Aldh. Ep. 1 p. 477; singuli autem menses sua ~a in quibus solem recipiant habent Aprilis arietis, Maius tauri, Junius geminorum, Julius cancri, Augustus leonis, September virginis, October librae, November scorpionis, December sagittarii, Januarius capricorni, Februarius aquarii, Martius piscium Bede TR 16; superest ‥ de xij ~is tractare, quorum quodlibet xxx gradus occupat et sic totus zodiacus in ccclx gradus ‥ est distributus D. Morley 242; circa obliquum circulum qui dicitur orbis ~orum sive zodiacus T. Sutton Gen. & Corrupt. 187.  b dicitur ~um piramis quadrilatera cujus basis est illa superficies quam appellamus ~um Sacrob. Sph. 89.

signum, (6) ī, n. , ¶ 1 marque, signe, empreinte : id signum Amphitruoni non erit Pl. Amph. 145, Amphitryon nʼaura pas ce signe distinctif ; pecori signum imprimere Virg. G. 1, 263, marquer un troupeau ; signa et notæ Cic. Læl. 62, signes et marques distinctives ; signa rerum commutare Cic. Fin. 5, 74, démarquer des objets || signa timoris mittere Cæs. C. 1, 71, 3, donner des signes de frayeur ¶ 2 signal : signum tuba dare Cæs. G. 2, 20, etc., donner le signal avec la trompette ; prœlii committendi signum dare Cæs. G. 2, 21, donner le signal dʼengager le combat ; recipiendi Cæs. G. 7, 52, signal de la retraite ; signum mittendis quadrigis Liv. 8, 40, 3, donner le signal de départ aux quadriges ; v. canere || signum dare, ut subj. Cic. Mil. 39 ; Liv. 21, 14, 3, donner la consigne de, ordonner de ¶ 3 mot dʼordre : Suet. Cal. 56 ; Claud. 42 ; Nero 9 ; signo Felicitatis dato B. Afr. 83, ayant donné comme mot dʼordre Felicitas ; signum petere Sen. Const. 18, 3, demander le mot dʼordre ¶ 4 enseigne, drapeau, étendard : Cæs. G. 2, 25 ; 7, 2, 2, etc.; signa subsequi Cæs. G. 4, 26, suivre les enseignes, rester avec les soldats de son manipule ; ab signis discedere Cæs. G. 5, 16, quitter les enseignes, fuir ; ferre signa Cæs. G. 1, 39, 7 ; inferre Cæs. G. 1, 25, 7 ; convertere Cæs. G. 6, 8, 5 ; constituere Cæs. G. 7, 47, se mettre en route, attaquer (charger), faire une conversion, faire halte ; collatis signis Cæs. G. 7, 2, les enseignes étant réunies [mais signa conferre cum hostibus Cic. Pis. 49 = engager le combat avec les ennemis, cf. Cic. Att. 7, 5, 5, et collatis signis Cic. Pomp. 66 = en bataille rangée] ; signa vellere convellere Liv. 3, 50, 11 ; 3, 7, 3, arracher les enseignes [fichées dans le sol] ; sub signis legionem ducere Cic. Att. 16, 8, 2, mener une légion en rangs, en formation régulière || enseignes des manipules [opp. à aquila, aigle de la légion] : Cic. Cat. 2, 13, cf. Varro L. 5, 88 ¶ 5 signe, présage, pronostic, symptôme : Cic. Div. 1, 15 ; 1, 77 ; 2, 145 ; Virg. G. 3, 440 ; 3, 503 ; 4, 253 ¶ 6 signe, marque, indice [ce qui démontre, prouve qqch.] : Her. 2, 11 ; Cic. Mil. 61 ; Cæl. 22 ; hoc signum est avec prop. inf. Ter. Haut. 298, cʼest un signe (une preuve) que, cf. Nep. Att. 17, 2, ou id est signi Cic. Amer. 83 ¶ 7 statue : æneum, marmoreum, eburneum Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 1, statue dʼairain, de marbre, dʼivoire ; ex ære Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 96, statue dʼairain || figure [effectuée par un travail artistique] : signum pictum Pl. Merc. 315, figure peinte, portrait ; vestis signis ingentibus apta Lucr. 5, 1428, vêtement rehaussé dʼénormes figures brodées, cf. Virg. En. 1, 648 ¶ 8 cachet, sceau : est notum signum, imago avi tui Cic. Cat. 3, 10, le cachet [lʼempreinte du cachet] est bien connu, cʼest lʼimage de ton aïeul ; integris signis Cic. Cat. 3, 6, avec les cachets intacts ; v. obsignare ; sub signo habere aliquid Cic. Att. 9, 10, 4, tenir qqch. cacheté ; scellé ¶ 9 signe (du zodiaque), constellation, astre : Lucr. 1, 2 ; Cic. Inv. 1, 59 ; in signo Leonis Cic. Div. 1, 121, dans le signe du Lion ; signum pluviale Capellæ Ov. F. 5, 113, le signe pluvieux de la Chèvre ; cælo diffundere signa Hor. S. 1, 5, 10, répandre les constellations au travers du ciel ¶ 10 sobriquet : Vop. Aur. 6, 2.

signum , i. n.
記號。印。跡。像。印圖。宫宿。招牌。旗。暗號。號筒之令。先兆。奇異。Rabiosum signum 暑時之星。天狼。Conferre signa cum hostibus 交戰。Infesta signa hosti inferre 攻仇敵。

Suggest a Translation
See an image

signum, i, n.: costellazione, segno celeste; ● stella; signorum ortus et obitus Cic il sorgere e il tramontare delle stelle.

sīgnum ī, n

• a mark, token, sign, indication, proof: ostendisti signa nutrici? (i. e. crepundia), T.: fures earum rerum, quas ceperunt, signa commutant: in amicis deligendis habere quasi signa et notas, quibus eos iudicarent, etc.: pecori signum inpressit, V.: nulla ad speluncum signa ferebant, footprints, V.: dicere deos gallis signum dedisse cantandi: color pudoris signum, T.: timoris signa mittere, display, Cs.: Magnum hoc quoque signum est, dominam esse extra noxiam, T.: id erit signi me invitum facere, quod, etc.: quid signi?—A military standard, ensign, banner: signo amisso, Cs.: ut neque signiferi viam, nec signa milites cernerent, L.: Inter signa militaria, H.: signa sequi, to march in rank, S.: signa subsequi, to keep the order of battle, Cs.: signa servare, L.: ab signis discedere, to leave the ranks, Cs.: volonum exercitus ab signis discessit, disbanded, L.: signa relinquere, to run away, S.: signa ferre, i. e. to decamp, Cs.: mota e castris signa eorum, qui, etc., i. e. an advance of the troops, etc., L.: Signa movet, advances, V.: ferte signa in hostem, attack, L.: signa constituere, halt, Cs.: signa proferre, advance, L.: Romani conversa signa bipertito intulerunt, i. e. wheeled and attacked in two columns, Cs.: signa patriae inferens: qui signa contulit, engaged in close fight: conlatis signis, in regular battle: conlatis militaribus signis, having brought together, etc., Cs.: signa in laevum cornu confert, concentrates his troops, L.: signa transferre, to desert, Cs.: signa convellere, to take up the standards (from the ground), L.: legionem sub signis ducere, in rank and file: ante signa inter primores, in front of the army, L.—Esp., the standard of a cohort, ensign of a maniple (cf. aquila, the standard of the legion): cum fascīs, cum signa militaria (praemissa).—A cohort, maniple: unius signi milites, L.—A sign, signal, call, watchword, password: signum tubā dare, Cs.: receptui dare, L.: proeli exposcere, Cs.: concinere, Cs.: canere, S.: signum mittendis quadrigis dare (for the start in a race), L.: it bello tessera signum, V.—A sign, token, omen, prognostic, symptom: medici signa quaedam habent ex venis aegroti: Morborum signa docebo, V.: prospera signa dare, O.—An image, figure, statue, picture: Iovis Statoris: expressi voltūs per aënea signa, H.: palla signis auroque rigens, V. —A device on a seal, seal, signet: notum signum, imago avi tui, etc.: Imprimat his signa tabellis, H.: litterae integris signis praetoribus traduntur: volumen sub signo habere, under seal.—A sign in the heavens, constellation: signis omnibus ad principium steliisque revocatis: in signo Leonis: signorum obitūs ortūs, V.: pluviale Capellae, O.

SIGNUM

SIGNUM[EXERCITUSVol. 1. p. 807; SIGNA. ]

Signum

(σημεῖον). The Roman name for a military standard, usually consisting of a badge (insigne) on a staff, carried by legions, maniples, and cohorts, as distinct from the vexillum (q. v.). The latter was a square flag fastened on a cross-bar carried by the cavalry and allied infantry detachments. The earliest Roman standard is said to have been a bundle of hay (manipulus) on a staff (Plut. Rom. 8). In the time of the manipular arrangement (see legio; manipulus), each maniple had its peculiar insigne, the eagle (the sign of the first manipulus), the wolf, the Minotaur, the horse, or the boar. After Marius had made the eagle (q.v.) the standard representing the signum of the whole legion, the forms of other animals were no longer employed. Instead of them the maniples had a spear with an outstretched hand upon the point. Afterwards the signa were also furnished with a vexillum and with various ornaments on the pole, especially round plates, often with representations of gods, emperors, and generals. The cohorts, probably as early as the time of Caesar, had particular signa; after Trajan they borrowed from the Parthians the draco. This was the image of a large dragon fixed upon a lance, with gaping jaws of silver, and with the rest of its body formed of coloured silk. When the wind blew down the open jaws, the body was inflated (Veget. De Re Militari, ii. 13; Ammian. Marcell. xvi. 10, 7). This last is to be seen on monuments among the standards of foreign nations, who also had a standard resembling a mediaeval banner. On the march and in an attack with close columns, the signa were carried in the first line; in a pitched battle, behind the front rank. See Domazewski, Die Fahnen im römischen Heere (1885).

The Greeks carried no regular standard, but a scarlet flag (φοινικίς) was sometimes raised as a signal for joining battle both on land and sea (Polyaen. iii. 9, 27; Thucyd. i. 49). The Persians carried a golden eagle as a royal standard (Xen. Anab. i. 10, 12), and the Parthians had banners of silk. See vexillum.