sign [ME] Sign comes via Old French from Latin signum ‘mark, token’. From the same source come signal [LME], significant [M16th], signet [LME] ‘small seal’ with which you make your mark, and signature [LME], which was first used as a Scots legal term for a document presented by a writer for royal approval and seal. Resign [LME] is from Latin resignare ‘unseal, cancel’ See also seal.