n. [ Cf. F. lignification. See Lignify. ] (Bot.) A change in the character of a cell wall, by which it becomes harder. It is supposed to be due to an incrustation of lignin. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Signified p. pr. & vb. n. Signifying ] [ F. signifier, L. significare; signum a sign + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Sign, n., and -fy. ] 1. To show by a sign; to communicate by any conventional token, as words, gestures, signals, or the like; to announce; to make known; to declare; to express; as, a signified his desire to be present. [ 1913 Webster ]

I 'll to the king; and signify to him
That thus I have resign'd my charge to you. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The government should signify to the Protestants of Ireland that want of silver is not to be remedied. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To mean; to import; to denote; to betoken. [ 1913 Webster ]

He bade her tell him what it signified. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

A tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Signify is often used impersonally; as, it signifies nothing, it does not signify, that is, it is of no importance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To express; manifest; declare; utter; intimate; betoken; denote; imply; mean. [ 1913 Webster ]