sign manual

American  

noun

plural

signs manual

1. a personal signature, especially that of a sovereign or official on a public document.

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sign manual British  

noun

1. law a person's signature in his own hand, esp that of a sovereign on an official document

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Etymology

Origin of sign manual

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

It was a sign manual used in the secret society to which both of them belonged in the Academy at Centerville.

From The Outdoor Chums on the Lake Lively Adventures on Wildcat Island by Allen, Quincy

She has a sign manual of her own.

From My Actor-Husband A true story of American stage life by Anonymous

That is the sign manual of their intense respectability.

From Black Oxen by Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn

Demonstration is the sign manual of knowledge; Dogmatism the arrogance of ignorance.

From The New Avatar and The Destiny of the Soul The Findings of Natural Science Reduced to Practical Studies in Psychology by Buck, J. D. (Jirah Dewey)

And there, beyond, stood the wonderful thing, sign manual of modern comfort—a great red automobile with a gallant chauffeur!

From Heroic Spain by O'Reilly, Elizabeth Boyle