signation

noun

sig·​na·​tion

sigˈnāshən

plural -s

1

: the act of making the sign of the cross

2

obsolete : a distinguishing mark

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin signation-, signatio, from signatus (past participle of signare to make the sign of the cross, from Latin, to mark, seal) + Latin -ion-, -io -ion

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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