Where does “signum” come from?

Signum comes from Latin signum, derived from Proto-Indo-European sek-, meaning to cut or mark, which itself traces to the same root sek-.

signum (English): A sign, mark, or symbol; A medieval tower bell...

Definitions

  1. A sign, mark, or symbol; A medieval tower bell...

Ancestry of “signum”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinsignumvisible indication: sign, mark, signal; seal,...
2Proto-Italicseknomsign
3Proto-Indo-Europeansek-to cut, cut off, sever
Every word from Proto-Indo-European sek- →Every word from Proto-Italic seknom →Every word from Latin signum →