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| Date: | 1500-1600 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | Medieval Latin signatura, from Latin signare; SIGN2 |
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sig‧na‧ture
1 [countable] your name written in the way you usually write it, for example at the end of a letter, or on a cheque etc to show that you have written it : 
The school collected 4000 signatures for the petition.
The school collected 4000 signatures for the petition.2 [uncountable] formal the act of signing something
3 [countable usually singular] something that is closely related to an event, person, or style : Smith's signature singing style
Smith's signature singing style ➔ key signature, time signatureWORD FOCUS: name 
WORD FOCUS: name 
someone's first name: first name, given name especially AmE, Christian name
someone's family name: family name, last name, surname, maiden name (a woman's family name before she gets married)
the name between your first and last name: middle name
all of the words of someone's name: full name
when someone writes their name: signature, autograph (of a famous person)
a name used instead of someone's real name: nickname a short name used by someone's friends or family
pen name/pseudonym a name used by a writer
stage name the name used by an actor
false name, alias a name used especially by a criminal
under an assumed name using a false name in order to hide your identity
the name of a thing: title the name of a book, film, picture etc
common name the name for a plant, animal, substance etc used by ordinary people
scientific name the name used by scientists
term a word or phrase used in technical contexts
➔ See also name
WORD FOCUS: name someone's first name: first name, given name especially AmE, Christian name
someone's family name: family name, last name, surname, maiden name (a woman's family name before she gets married)
the name between your first and last name: middle name
all of the words of someone's name: full name
when someone writes their name: signature, autograph (of a famous person)
a name used instead of someone's real name: nickname a short name used by someone's friends or family
pen name/pseudonym a name used by a writer
stage name the name used by an actor
false name, alias a name used especially by a criminal
under an assumed name using a false name in order to hide your identity
the name of a thing: title the name of a book, film, picture etc
common name the name for a plant, animal, substance etc used by ordinary people
scientific name the name used by scientists
term a word or phrase used in technical contexts
➔ See also name
