Etymology of the English word signify
the English word
signifyderived from the Old French word
signifierderived from the Latin word
significare (signify, indicate, show)
derived from the Latin word
facere (to make; act, take action, be active; compose, write; classify; do, make; create; make, build, construct; produce; produce by growth; bring forth)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*dhē-derived from the Late Latin word
signum (battle standard; indication; seal)
derived from the Latin word
secare (to cut; cut, sever; decide)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*sek-derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*sekʷ-Date
The earliest known usage of signify in English dates from the 13th century.
Derivations in English
significs,
signified,
signifier,
signifyingCognates
French
signifier, Provençal
signifiar, Spanish
significarUsage
Word found in Modern English
