sign manual

sign manual ExamplesWord Origin noun, plural signs manual.

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

Origin of sign manual late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50 Examples from the Web for sign manual Historical Examples of sign manual

It was the scar of the white plague, the sign-manual of death.

The Captain of the Pole-Star and Other Tales

Arthur Conan Doyle

Many of them were at once appalled by the royal seals and sign-manual.

The Story of Rouen

Sir Theodore Andrea Cook

Wheresoever a capacity is bestowed, it is the sign-manual of Heaven.

The Young Maiden

A. B. (Artemas Bowers) Muzzey

I have not escaped,” I replied; “here is my pardon, with the sign-manual.

The Privateersman

Frederick Marryat

The sign-manual on the back of the magistrate’s warrant is there to testify, &c.

The Origin of Finger-Printing

William J. Herschel

British Dictionary definitions for sign manual sign manual noun

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