significatory
- noun
- /sɪɡˈnɪfɪˌkeɪtəri/
- Archaic
- In her essay, she explored the significatory of colors in medieval art.
Examples
-
The significatory of the ancient symbol was lost to modern scholars.
-
The poet used the word for its deep significatory rather than its literal sense.
-
The significatory meaning is clear.
-
What is the significatory aspect of this painting?
-
The significatory meaning of the old manuscript was revealed through careful study.
-
In his lecture, he discussed the significatory role of language in shaping cultural identity.
-
Many people overlook the significatory details that give the painting its emotional depth.
Synonyms
5
3.8
The meaning or message something has
2
7.7
The meaning that a word, sign, or symbol expresses
1
8.4
The idea that a word or sign shows
How Significant
597
1.0
32
4.2
- Archaic
758
1.0
6
5.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
significatory = significatory (opaque) = signific + atory
The noun use is a conversion from an archaic adjectival form, and the Latinate stem is not transparently decomposable for an average learner.
Etymology
Significatory comes from the Latin significare, formed from sign ('sign') and -ficare ('to make'). So in older or literary use a significatory can mean the 'meaning' or 'significance' of a symbol, the idea it stands for.