SEMAPHORE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does semaphore mean? 

• SEMAPHORE (noun)
  The noun SEMAPHORE has 1 sense:

1. an apparatus for visual signaling with lights or mechanically moving arms

  Familiarity information: SEMAPHORE used as a noun is very rare.

• SEMAPHORE (verb)
  The verb SEMAPHORE has 2 senses:

1. send signals by or as if by semaphore

2. convey by semaphore, of information

  Familiarity information: SEMAPHORE used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SEMAPHORE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An apparatus for visual signaling with lights or mechanically moving arms

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("semaphore" is a kind of...):

apparatus; setup (equipment designed to serve a specific function)

Derivation:

semaphore (convey by semaphore, of information)

semaphore (send signals by or as if by semaphore)

• SEMAPHORE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they semaphore    ... he / she / it semaphores   
Past simple: semaphored   
Past participle: semaphored   
-ing form: semaphoring   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Send signals by or as if by semaphore

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "semaphore" is one way to...):

sign; signal; signalise; signalize (communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

semaphore (an apparatus for visual signaling with lights or mechanically moving arms)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Convey by semaphore, of information

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "semaphore" is one way to...):

communicate; intercommunicate (transmit thoughts or feelings)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

semaphore (an apparatus for visual signaling with lights or mechanically moving arms)

 Context examples 

Every last one of them, semaphore, lamp code, Marconi—a copy, mind you, not the original.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)