significate

Significate is a term encountered in semiotics and linguistic theory to refer to the content or concept that a sign stands for. In many discussions it is treated as synonymous with the signified in Saussurean tradition, but some authors use significate to distinguish the cognitive content from its linguistic label.

In the standard sign theory, a sign comprises signifier (the form) and signified (the concept). The significate, when used, denotes the mental concept or referent associated with the sign, i.e., what is signified by the sign. Some writers reserve signified for the linguistic or cultural meaning, while significate emphasizes the cognitive representation of the sign rather than its external label.

Usage and status: The term significate is largely historical or marginal in current scholarly writing. Contemporary semiotics and linguistics typically prefer signified or use the broader notion of signification to describe meaning and interpretation. As a result, significate is not widely used and may cause confusion if introduced without context.

Relation to other terms: Signifier refers to the form of a sign, such as a word or image; signified refers to the concept or content the sign represents; signification covers the process of meaning-making. Significate, when invoked, is intended to point to the content side of the sign, though its precise distinction from signified varies by author.

See also: Semiotics, Saussure, signifier, signified, signification, interpretation.