\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.       --Shak.
         The government should signify to the Protestants of
         Ireland that want of silver is not to be remedied.
                                               --Swift.
2. To mean; to import; to denote; to betoken.
         He bade her tell him what it signified. --Chaucer.
         A tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
         Signifying nothing.                   --Shak.
Note: 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.