Semaphore
WordNet
noun
(1) An apparatus for visual signaling with lights or mechanically moving arms
verb
(2) Convey by semaphore, of information
(3) Send signals by or as if by semaphore
WiktionaryText
Etymology
Borrowed in 1816 from , coined in French from Ancient Greek , and , from .
Noun
- Any visual signaling system with flags, lights, or mechanically moving arms.
- A visual system for transmitting information by means of two flags that are held one in each hand, using an alphabetic and numeric code based on the position of the signaler’s arms.
- A bit, token, fragment of code, or some other mechanism which is used to restrict access to a shared function or device to a single process at a time, or to synchronize and coordinate events in different processes.
Verb
- or To signal using (or as if using) a semaphore.
- He semaphored his intention by wearing his best suit.
Trivia
Semaphore was the winning word at the 19th Scripps National Spelling Bee. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scripps_National_Spelling_Bee