signifie

Signifie is the present indicative form of the French verb signifier, meaning to signify, to mean, or to indicate. It is commonly used to express the meaning of words, phrases, or symbols, and to describe what something conveys in a given context. The word can appear in definitions, explanations, and translations, where clarity about meaning is essential.

Etymology and related terms: signifier comes from Old French signifier, derived from Latin significare, meaning “to indicate, to make a sign.” The verb is part of a larger family of terms in semiotics and linguistics related to meaning, including signifier (signifiant) and signified (signifié) in structuralist theory, though signifier as a noun is a separate entry in French.

Usage and examples: In everyday French, you might say: Ce mot signifie "amour." Cela signifie que nous devons agir. The form signifier is widely used in dictionaries, glossaries, and academic writing to explain what terms or symbols convey. The present tense form signifique appears for je signifie and il/elle signifie, and the specific subject is indicated by the accompanying pronoun.

Grammatical note: Signifier is an -er verb. The form signifie is the present indicative verb form used for the first-person singular and the third-person singular in standard usage, while other subject forms follow their respective endings. Because signifier denotes meaning, it often appears in constructions that introduce explanations, definitions, or paraphrases.

See also: The concept of signification is central to linguistics and semiotics, where signifier and signified are used to describe how language and symbols convey meaning. Signifie functions primarily as a verb, while related nouns and adjectives expand discussions of meaning in text.