signalize, v.
(ˈsɪgnəlaɪz)
[f. signal a. + -ize.]
1. a. trans. To make signal; to distinguish; to render conspicuous, remarkable, or noteworthy.
| 1654 R. Flecknoe Ten Years Trav. 102 Let none ever hope the like advantages, that are not signaliz'd by some remarkable qualities. 1686 Plot Staffordsh. 21 The death of Germanicus was signaliz'd by another [meteor]. 1704 Hearne Duct. Hist. (1714) I. 244 When..his Glory [was] sufficiently signalized, then he discarded those Instruments. 1761 Hume Hist. Eng. II. xli. 425 She named Whitgift.., who had already signalised his pen in controversy. 1861 May Constit. Hist. Eng. (1863) I. i. 45 This debate was signalised by the opposition speech of Sir Fletcher Norton, the Speaker. 1883 Contemp. Rev. XLIV. 7 Leo the Tenth..desired to signalize his reign by building the grandest church in the world. |
b. To make known or display in a striking manner.
| 1702 Farquhar Twin Rivals iii. i, Has he ever signalised his courage? a 1716 South Serm. (1744) X. 146 The final issue of God's dealing with such as have signalized their patience. 1748 Anson's Voy. ii. x. 322 He was very desirous of signalizing his talents by some enterprize. a 1806 C. J. Fox Reign Jas. II (1808) 125 The parliament opened..with an enthusiastick zeal, to signalize their loyalty. |
c. refl. To distinguish (oneself) by some notable action or qualities. † Also const. from.
| 1654 Earl of Monmouth tr. Bentivoglio's Wars Flanders 289 There were two Captains of Launces with the Prince who had particular occasion to signalize themselves. 1689 Luttrell Brief Rel. (1857) I. 577 A list of the officers in Derry that signalized themselves against the enemy. 1709 Steele Tatler No. 77 ¶5 A thousand extravagancies, by which they would signalize themselves from others. 1763 J. Brown Poetry & Music iv. 37 Among the savage Tribes, the Chiefs are they who most signalize themselves by Dance and Song. 1813 T. Chalmers in Hanna Mem. (1849) I. xii. 324 Let me make a point of bringing forward nothing in conversation for the purpose of signalising myself. 1869 Tyndall Notes Lect. Light §462 Gypsum possesses three planes of cleavage,..one of which particularly signalizes itself by its perfection. |
2. To characterize or mark conspicuously.
| 1698 Fryer Acc. E. India & P. 95 Their Habit is the main thing that signalizes them more than their Virtue. 1776 Adam Smith W.N. v. l. (1904) II. 316 The inhabitants..have been frequently united..and the havoc and devastation of Asia have always signalised their union. 1817 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. (1818) II. 241 The symbol of death which signalizes its thorax. 1861 Ld. Brougham Brit. Const. xi. 160 Such tyrannous acts as we thus find to have signalized the Anglo-Norman reigns. 1882 C. Pebody Eng. Jrnlism. x. 74 He awoke in time to hear the cheers which signalised the success of the Minister's speech. |
3. To point out, note or mention specially, draw attention to.
| a 1711 Ken Hymns Evang. Poet. Wks. 1721 I. 131 Our Lord..At John's request the Traytor signaliz'd. 1833 I. Taylor Fanat. vi. 196 Some of the most portentous exhibitions of ungovernable violence that..have been signalized in history. 1835 Sir W. Hamilton Disc. (1853) 543 Not a single voice was raised in either House to signalize the mis⁓statement. 1885 Ffoulkes Prim. Consecration viii. 379 The Gallican spirit breathing throughout his works has been already signalised. |
4. a. To make signals to; to communicate with by means of a signal.
| 1824 Byron Let. to Muir 2 Jan., They were signalising their consort with lights. 1857 R. Tomes Amer. in Japan vii. 153 Two guns were fired..for the purpose probably of signalizing the authorities at the Capital. 1874 Holland Mistr. Manse xix. 75 She saw a stalwart man arise..And pause a breath, to signalize Some one beyond her stinted view. |
b. intr. To make or send signals.
| 1853 Felton Fam. Lett. i. (1865) 8 We have signalized to Liverpool by way of Holyhead. 1857 Chamb. Jrnl. VII. 78 Developing a theory of signalising by pulsations. |
5. To announce by a signal or signals. Also, to indicate.
| 1875 Bedford Sailor's Pocket-bk. vi. (ed. 2) 216 Who would then signalize to them where they might safest attempt to land. 1961 Texas Stud. Lit. & Lang. III. 283 Pip's abject leave-taking of Miss Haversham..signalizes his homage to a supposed patroness. 1964 W. H. Dray Philos. Hist. 53 The willingness of the revisionists to apportion blame, however, does not signalize a return to the sectional type of partisanship. 1966 R. S. Rudner Philos. Social Sci. 15 A definition signalizes the redundancy or eliminability of a term. 1976 Network (Brit. Social. Assoc.) No. 6. 2/1 When people are trying to change their status..they seek to change their name, both to signalize the change that has taken place and to give form to the identity they are trying to shape. |
6. [signal n.] U.S. and Austral. To provide (an intersection, etc.) with traffic signals.
| 1961 in Webster. 1977 Sunday Mail (Brisbane) 29 June 2/2 We had 158 signalised intersections at June 30 last year, 65 signalised pedestrian crossings..and 281 floodlit ones. |
Hence ˈsignalized ppl. a.
| 1652 Earl of Monmouth tr. Bentivoglio's Hist. Relat. 53 One of the gallantest and most signalized Princesses that ever lived. 1819 T. Chalmers Serm. (1836) I. 214 The special and signalised object of his kindness. 1870 W. Arnot in Life x. (1877) 439 This is a signalised and monumental spot of the continent. |