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DictionaryRoot: -alis
Latin

-alis

of, relating to

Forms

  • -alis
  • -aris — Latin variant especially used when the stem already contained l, avoiding a repeated l sound.
  • -al — English ending borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
  • -ar — English ending continuing Latin -aris.

Origin

An older Latin adjective-forming suffix; its more remote ancestry is uncertain.

Note

Expresses a relationship without specifying its kind: material, place, purpose, and other connections are possible.

250 / 291
noun / verb

signal

SIG-nuhl/ˈsɪɡnəl/

A sign that conveys information or intention.

The lifeguard's whistle and waving arms signal the swimmers to return to shore.

A lifeguard blows a whistle and waves both arms toward swimmers, who immediately turn back toward shore because the action and sound convey danger.
Etymology
signLatinmark, sign, or signal
+alLatinof, relating to

The pieces express something pertaining to a sign. From a visible indication, signal came to mean an agreed-upon cue, then extended to electrical and broadcast transmissions carrying information.

In context

Jason Silva: Shots of Awe2:06
Everything a signal, everything is information.
Verbs are Verbing
TED-Ed1:31
determine the auditory signal our brain perceives.
Can loud music damage your hearing? - Heather Malyuk

More examples

  • She signals to the waiter that she wants the check.
  • Use your turn signal before changing lanes.
  • The radio receives a weak signal from the station.

Forms

signal · signals · signaled · signaling

Similar words

cue
Usually prompts someone to act at a particular moment.
gesture
Communicates through bodily movement rather than light or sound.
indication
Suggests something is true without necessarily communicating it deliberately.