Signature

Signature
1) That part of the prescription that contains the doctor's directions to the patient. For example, the signature might say “take twice daily with food”. Also known as the sig.. 2) The outward appearance of a natural object, which was once taken as a token of its special properties. This ancient doctrine of signatures led some to conclude that the walnut, which looks something like a tiny brain, could be used to heal brain problems; the liverwort plant, which has a three-lobed liver-like leaf, was useful in treating liver disease; and so on. Not too many physicians accept such fanciful ideas today. The word "signature" comes from the Latin "signare" meaning "to sign or mark."
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The part of a prescription containing the directions to the patient. [Mediev. L. signatura, fr. L. signum, a sign, mark]

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sig·na·ture 'sig-nə-.chu̇(ə)r, -chər, -.t(y)u̇(ə)r n
1) a feature in the appearance or qualities of a natural object formerly held to indicate its utility in medicine either because of a fancied resemblance to a body part (as a heart-shaped leaf indicating utility in heart disease) or because of a presumed relation to some phase of a disease (as the prickly nature of thistle indicating utility in case of a stitch in the side)
2) the part of a medical prescription which contains the directions to the patient

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sig·na·ture (sigґnə-chər) [L. signatura] 1. the part of a prescription that gives directions to the patient for taking of medicine; abbreviated S. or sig. See prescription. 2. a characteristic feature of a substance that in folk medicine may be regarded as an indicator of its medicinal virtues: the eyelike mark on the flower of the euphrasia was considered to show its usefulness in eye diseases; the liverlike shape of the leaf of liverwort pointed to its use in hepatic diseases; and the yellow color of saffron indicated its use in jaundice.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • signature — [ siɲatyr ] n. f. • 1430; lat. médiév. signatura, du lat. class. signator « signataire » 1 ♦ Inscription qu une personne fait de son nom (sous une forme particulière et constante) pour affirmer l exactitude, la sincérité d un écrit ou en assumer… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • signature — sig‧na‧ture [ˈsɪgnətʆə ǁ ər] noun 1. [countable] BANKING your name written in the way you usually write it, for example at the end of a letter or on a cheque. It is often used to give official or legal permission for something: • I couldn t read… …   Financial and business terms

  • signature — sig·na·ture n 1 a: the act of signing one s name or of making a mark in lieu thereof b: the name of a person written with his or her own hand to signify that the writing which precedes accords with his or her wishes or intentions c: any mark (as… …   Law dictionary

  • signature — Signature. s. f. Le sein de quelqu un apposé à une lettre, à un contract. Je connois sa signature. il y a vingt signatures à ce contract. c est un habile faussaire, il contrefait toutes les signatures. cette signature est fausse. mettre un arrest …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • signature — [sig′nə chər] n. [LL signatura < L signare: see SIGNATORY] 1. a person s name written by that person; also, a representation of this in a mark, stamp, deputy s handwriting, etc. 2. the act of signing one s name 3. an identifying characteristic …   English World dictionary

  • Signature — Sig na*ture, n. [F. (cf. It. signatura, segnatura, Sp. & LL. signatura), from L. signare, signatum. See {Sign}, v. t.] 1. A sign, stamp, or mark impressed, as by a seal. [1913 Webster] The brain, being well furnished with various traces,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • signature — ► NOUN 1) a person s name written in a distinctive way as a form of identification or authorization. 2) the action of signing something. 3) a distinctive product or characteristic by which someone or something can be identified. 4) Music a key… …   English terms dictionary

  • Signature — Sig na*ture, v. t. To mark with, or as with, a signature or signatures. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • signature — 1530s, a kind of document in Scottish law, from M.Fr. signature (16c.), from M.L. signatura sign, in classical L. the matrix of a seal, from signatus, pp. of signare to mark, sign (see SIGN (Cf. sign)). Meaning one s own name written in one s own …   Etymology dictionary

  • Signature — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Signature (homonymie). La signature de John Hancock est l une des plus remarquables de la Déclaration d indépendance des États Unis d Amérique …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Signature — A signature (from Latin signare , sign ) is a handwritten (and sometimes stylized) depiction of someone s name, nickname or even a simple X that a person writes on documents as a proof of identity and intent. The writer of a signature is a… …   Wikipedia

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