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Signify vs Signifier - What's the difference?

signify | signifier |

As a verb signify

is to give (something) a meaning or an importance.

As a noun signifier is

(linguistics) the sound of spoken word or string of letters on a page that a person recognizes as a sign.

signify

English

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To give (something) a meaning or an importance.
  • To show one’s intentions with a sign etc.
  • * (rfdate) (William Shakespeare)
  • I'll to the king; and signify to him / That thus I have resign'd my charge to you.
  • * (rfdate) (Jonathan Swift)
  • The government should signify to the Protestants of Ireland that want of silver is not to be remedied.
  • To mean; to betoken.
  • * (rfdate) (William Shakespeare)
  • A tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying nothing.

    Synonyms

    * (l) * (l)

    signifier

    English

    (Intension)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (linguistics) The sound of spoken word or string of letters on a page that a person recognizes as a sign.