Signified Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
📝
signified
[ˈsɪɡnɪfaɪd ]
Definition
indicate meaning
The term 'signified' refers to the meaning or concept that a sign represents in semiotics. It is the underlying idea that is communicated by a signifier, which is the physical form of the sign. In linguistics, the signified is critical in understanding how language conveys meaning.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- In linguistics, the word 'tree' signified the actual plant.
- The image of a heart signified love in the artwork.
- In her speech, she signified her thoughts on climate change.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Origin of 'signified'
The term 'signified' has its roots in the Latin word 'significare,' meaning 'to signify or indicate.' This Latin term combines 'signum,' meaning 'sign,' and 'facere,' meaning 'to make or do.' It entered the modern English lexicon in the early 20th century as semiotics and linguistics began to gain prominence as fields of study. Philosophers like Ferdinand de Saussure played a crucial role in the development of this concept, distinguishing between the signifier (the form of a word or image) and the signified (the concept it represents). This distinction laid the groundwork for further developments in the study of language and meaning, influencing various disciplines, including philosophy, art, and communication theory.