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REFERENCE

signature

n. · adj.
US //ˈsɪɡnətʃɝ// UK //sˈɪɡnɪtʃɐ// sig·na·ture
  1. 1 handwritten name (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    your name written in your own special way to sign a document.

    a person's name written by their own hand, used as a formal mark of identification or authorization.

    Example

    Please put your signature at the bottom of the contract.

    Example

    The bank teller carefully compared the signature on the cheque with the one they had on file to prevent fraud.
  2. 2 distinctive feature (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a special style or quality that is typical of a particular person or thing.

    a distinctive characteristic or pattern that identifies a particular person, group, or thing.

    Example

    The chef's signature dish is a spicy seafood pasta.

    Example

    The director's signature style involves long, unbroken shots and a very muted colour palette.
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  1. 3 musical notation (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Music

    symbols at the start of a piece of music that show the key or the rhythm.

    signs placed on the stave to indicate the key (key signature) or the meter (time signature) of a composition.

    Example

    The piece is difficult to play because the time signature changes in every bar.

    Example

    The composer chose a complex key signature with five sharps, creating a bright and energetic tonal quality.

  2. 4 digital verification (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    electronic data added to a message to prove who sent it.

    a digital code or pattern used to authenticate the identity of a sender or the integrity of a file.

    Example

    The software won't install because it doesn't have a valid digital signature.

    Example

    The antivirus program scans for specific file signatures to identify and isolate malicious code before it can execute.
  3. 5 email footer (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    the text at the end of an email that has your contact details.

    a block of text automatically appended to the end of an electronic message, typically containing the sender's name and contact information.

    Example

    I forgot to update my phone number in my email signature.

    Example

    The company policy requires all employees to include a standard legal disclaimer in their professional email signatures.
  4. 6 characteristic (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    describing something that is a person's most famous or typical feature.

    serving as a distinctive or identifying characteristic of a person or thing.

    Example

    She finished the performance with her signature move.

    Example

    The architect's signature curves are visible in almost every building he designed during that decade.

    Usage

    usually placed before the noun
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French signature, or from Medieval Latin signātūra, future active periphrastic of verb signāre from signum (“sign”), + -tūra, feminine of -tūrus, future active periphrastic suffix. Displaced native Old English handseten (literally “hand setting”).

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