---
title: signify — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «signify» in the school dictionary: To be a sign of something; to mean something (dark clouds signify rain). Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# signify

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** dark clouds, she, it, plus sign, red light, symbol · **What happens:** be, mean, signify, show, make, know · **To what, where:** sign, something, rain, known feeling, addition, stop

<!-- .vabout -->
«signify» in the school dictionary: its 3 meanings for a pupil and its 7 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [signify in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/signify.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: formal — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To be a sign of something; to mean something (dark clouds signify rain).

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signify:m1:1
# text = To be a sign of something; to mean something (dark clouds signify rain).
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	4	mark	_	_
2	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	cop	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	sign	sign	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	;	;	PUNCT	:	_	9	punct	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	mean	mean	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	conj	_	_
10	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	9	obj	_	_
11	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	14	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	dark	dark	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
13	clouds	cloud	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	14	nsubj	_	_
14	signify	signify	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	parataxis	_	_
15	rain	rain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	14	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | to-infinitive |  | a sign |  |  |  | of something | tree rules |
| 2 | **mean** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Topic |
| 3 | **signify** | present | dark clouds | rain |  |  |  |  | vn representation-110.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Pivot rain=Theme |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: formal — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To show or make known a feeling or wish, often by a sign or action (she nodded to signify yes).

<!-- fold The tree, 20 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signify:m2:1
# text = To show or make known a feeling or wish, often by a sign or action (she nodded to signify yes).
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	show	show	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	make	make	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
5	known	know	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	7	amod	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	feeling	feeling	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	wish	wish	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
11	often	often	ADV	RB	_	14	advmod	_	_
12	by	by	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
13	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
14	sign	sign	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	parataxis	_	_
15	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	16	cc	_	_
16	action	action	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	conj	_	_
17	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	19	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	she	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	19	nsubj	_	_
19	nodded	nod	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	14	parataxis	_	_
20	to	to	PART	TO	_	21	mark	_	_
21	signify	signify	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	19	xcomp	_	_
22	yes	yes	INTJ	UH	Polarity=Pos	21	discourse	_	SpaceAfter=No
23	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	19	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
24	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **show** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **make** | infinitive |  | a known feeling or wish |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset feeling=Product |
| 3 | **know** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Experiencer |
| 4 | **nod** | past | she |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 5 | **signify** | to-infinitive | she *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn representation-110.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Pivot |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: formal — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To be important (it does not signify).

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signify:m3:1
# text = To be important (it does not signify).
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	3	mark	_	_
2	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	cop	_	_
3	important	important	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
4	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	8	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
6	does	do	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	aux	_	_
7	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	8	advmod	_	_
8	signify	signify	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	8	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | important *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **not** **signify** | present · do-support | it |  |  |  |  |  | vn representation-110.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Pivot |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The plus sign signifies addition.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signify:x1:1
# text = The plus sign signifies addition.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	plus	plus	ADJ	JJ	_	3	amod	_	_
3	sign	sign	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	signifies	signify	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	addition	addition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **signify** | present | the plus sign | addition |  |  |  |  | vn representation-110.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Pivot addition=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A red light signifies stop.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signify:x2:1
# text = A red light signifies stop.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	red	red	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	light	light	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	signifies	signify	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	stop	stop	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **signify** | present | a red light | stop |  |  |  |  | vn representation-110.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Pivot stop=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Dark clouds often signify rain.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signify:x3:1
# text = Dark clouds often signify rain.
1	Dark	dark	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	clouds	cloud	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
3	often	often	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	signify	signify	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	rain	rain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **signify** | present | Dark clouds | rain |  |  |  | often *property* | vn representation-110.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Pivot rain=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She raised her hand to signify that she knew the answer.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signify:x4:1
# text = She raised her hand to signify that she knew the answer.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	raised	raise	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
4	hand	hand	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	signify	signify	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	_
7	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
8	she	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
9	knew	know	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	ccomp	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	answer	answer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **raise** | past | She | her hand |  |  |  |  | vn put\_direction-9.4 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent hand=Theme |
| 2 | **signify** | to-infinitive | She *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **know** | past | she | the answer |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Experiencer answer=Stimulus |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
What does this symbol on the map signify?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signify:x5:1
# text = What does this symbol on the map signify?
1	What	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	8	obj	_	_
2	does	do	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	aux	_	_
3	this	this	DET	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	4	det	_	_
4	symbol	symbol	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
5	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	map	map	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	_
8	signify	signify	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **signify** | present · do-support | this symbol on the map |  |  |  |  |  | vn representation-110.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Pivot what=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The ≥ sign signifies «greater than or equal to».

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signify:x6:1
# text = The ≥ sign signifies «greater than or equal to».
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	≥	≥	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	sign	sign	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	signifies	signify	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	6	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	greater	great	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	4	xcomp	_	_
7	than	than	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	equal	equal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	obl	_	_
10	to	to	ADP	IN	_	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	9	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **signify** | present | the ≥ sign |  |  |  |  | great *property* | vn representation-110.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Pivot |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
\[79\] The Russian word krof also signifies blood.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signify:x7:1
# text = [79] The Russian word krof also signifies blood.
1	[	[	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	79	79	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	]	]	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
4	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	Russian	Russian	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	word	word	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	appos	_	_
7	krof	krof	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
8	also	also	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
9	signifies	signify	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	acl:relcl	_	_
10	blood	blood	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **signify** | present | krof | blood |  |  |  |  | vn representation-110.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Pivot blood=Theme |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

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