semaphore
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
See also sémaphore
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
Borrowed in 1816 from French sémaphore, coined in French from Ancient Greek σῆμα (sêma), “‘sign’”), and -φωρος (-phoros), “‘bearing, bearer’”), from φέρω (férō), “‘to bear, carry’”).
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
semaphore (plural semaphores)
- Any visual signaling system with flags, lights, or mechanically moving arms.
- A visual system for transmitting information by means of two flags that are held one in each hand, using an alphabetic and numeric code based on the position of the signaler’s arms.
- (computing) A bit, token, fragment of code, or some other mechanism which is used to restrict access to a shared function or device to a single process at a time, or to synchronize and coordinate events in different processes.
[edit] Translations
visual signaling system
visual signaling with flags
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computing term
[edit] Verb
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Infinitive |
Third person singular |
Simple past |
Past participle |
Present participle |
to semaphore (third-person singular simple present semaphores, present participle semaphoring, simple past and past participle semaphored)
- (transitive) or (intransitive) To signal using (or as if using) a semaphore.
- He semaphored his intention by wearing his best suit.
[edit] Translations
to signal using semaphore
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[edit] Trivia
Semaphore was the winning word at the 19th Scripps National Spelling Bee. [1]
