English → Latin
“signal” in Latin
perīculumtrial, experiment, attempt, proof, essay; risk, hazard, danger, peril; ruin, destructioncalamitāsloss, damage, harm; misfortune, calamity, disaster; military defeatobeōto go towards, go to meet; to oppose, face; to arrive at, reach, come to; to undertake a task, take charge of, take part
The English word signal itself goes back to Latin signum, through signāle.
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
signal s.
signum. To give a signal, signum dare (general term): signum canere (with the trumpet): to give the signal for an attack, classicum canere (if with the trumpet): the signal for an attack is given, classicum canit: to give or make a signal by fire, ignibus significationem facere: a signal at night, insigne nocturnum (e.g., of three lights, trium luminum, Liv., 29, 25, § 11, on board the flag ship): a signal of distress, *periculi signum: to give or fire a signal of distress. *tormento significationem periculi facere: to fire signal guns, *tormento significationem (periculi) facere (if in a case of distress): signal-ship, navis speculatoria; navigium speculatorium.
signal adj.
[Vid: DISTINGUISHED.] [Vid: DISTINGUISHED.] A signal defeat, calamitas: obitus (as euphemistic expressions used by the Romans; Vid: the remark in ROUT).
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for signal?
- The usual Latin words for “signal” are perīculum, calamitās, obeō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.