Signify

Sig"ni*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Signified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Signifying (?).] [F. signifier, L. significare; signum a sign + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Sign, n., and -fy.] 1. To show by a sign; to communicate by any conventional token, as words, gestures, signals, or the like; to announce; to make known; to declare; to express; as, a signified his desire to be present.

I 'll to the king; and signify to him
That thus I have resign'd my charge to you.

The government should signify to the Protestants of Ireland that want of silver is not to be remedied.

2. To mean; to import; to denote; to betoken.

He bade her tell him what it signified.

A tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

☞ Signify is often used impersonally; as, it signifies nothing, it does not signify, that is, it is of no importance.

Syn. -- To express; manifest; declare; utter; intimate; betoken; denote; imply; mean.