signet

1 of 2

noun

sig·​net ˈsig-nət 

1

: a seal used officially to give personal authority to a document in lieu of signature

2

: the impression made by or as if by a signet

3

: a small intaglio seal (as in a finger ring)

signet

2 of 2

verb

signeted; signeting; signets

transitive verb

: to stamp or authenticate with a signet

Did you know?

Signets have been used for thousands of years. The design of a signet is personalized for its owner, and no two are alike. The ancients used signets to mark their possessions and to sign contracts. In later years signets were used to stamp a blob of hot wax sealing a folded secret document so that it couldn't be opened and read without the design being broken. Nowadays you’re likely to hear of signets in reference to jewelry, especially rings. The reigning pope wears one, called the Fisherman's Ring, which is carved with a figure of St. Peter encircled with the pope's name; after a pope's death, the ring is destroyed and a new one is made. If you guessed that signet and sign share an etymological relation, you’re entirely right: both can be traced to the Latin noun signum, meaning "a mark, token, image, sign, or seal."

Did you know?

Signets have been used for thousands of years. The design of a signet is personalized for its owner, and no two are alike. The ancients used signets to mark their possessions and to sign contracts. In later years signets were used to stamp a blob of hot wax sealing a folded secret document so that it couldn't be opened and read without the design being broken. The reigning pope still wears a signet, called the Fisherman's Ring, which is carved with a figure of St. Peter encircled with the pope's name; after a pope's death, the ring is destroyed and a new one is made.

Examples of signet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

From the 12th to the 18th century, rings were often used as signets, as reflected by many examples in the collection. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024

Is this scene with Liam a hint that Violet’s potential second signet has something to do with a connection to the dead? —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 8 Nov. 2023

Cool takes on men’s signet, chain and surfer-y rings are plentiful now, but finding the right one can be surprisingly tricky. —Joshua Glass, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2023

The signet style is similar to gypsy-set rings, which have recently become popular among women looking for a practical and discreet diamond-ring style. —Jill Newman, WSJ, 29 Apr. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English small seal, signet ring, from Anglo-French, diminutive of signe sign, seal

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing signet

• signet ring

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