The word "signals" is spelled with six letters, but it contains seven sounds. Its phonetic transcription in IPA is /ˈsɪɡ.nəlz/. The first sound is /s/, followed by /ɪ/ which is pronounced like the vowel sound in "sit." Then there is /ɡ/ which sounds like the "g" in "go." After that, there is the nasal sound /n/ followed by the vowel /ə/, which is unstressed and pronounced like the "a" in "sofa." Lastly, the word ends with a voiceless "s" sound /z/.
Signals are defined as visual or auditory indications that convey information or messages. They are used to communicate or transmit messages from one entity to another, often serving as a means of conveying warnings, instructions, or notifications. Signals can be generated through various means, such as sounds, lights, gestures, or electronic devices.
In the context of communication, signals are crucial for transmitting information efficiently and effectively. They enable individuals or groups to communicate their intentions, desires, or warnings to others. For instance, traffic signals on roads use different colors to indicate when to stop, go, or exercise caution. These signals help regulate traffic flow and prevent accidents.
In technical or scientific contexts, signals often refer to electrical or electromagnetic waves that carry information. These signals can be analog or digital and are used extensively in various fields, including telecommunications, electronics, and computer science. For example, radio signals are used to transmit audio or video information over long distances, while digital signals are employed in computers to represent and transmit data.
Furthermore, signals can also be symbolic or non-verbal in nature, conveying meaning through body language, facial expressions, or gestures. These non-verbal signals are an integral part of human communication, allowing individuals to express emotions, convey ideas, or establish social bonds without using spoken or written language.
Overall, signals serve as crucial tools in both human and technological communication, enabling the transmission of information, warnings, or messages between entities through visual, auditory, or electromagnetic means.
A system of signs or tokens addressed to the eye, as flags, boards, lights, &c., for establishing communications at distances-now generally superseded on land by the electric telegraph.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "signals" originated from the Late Latin word "signale", derived from the Latin word "signum", which means "sign" or "mark". "Signum" itself is believed to be derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*sekw", meaning "to follow" or "to mark". Over time, this word evolved and was adopted into various languages, including Old French and English, eventually becoming the word "signals" in current English usage.