signpost
UK[ˈsaɪn.pəʊst]US[ˈsaɪn.poʊst]
n
A post with a sign on it, giving information such as the direction and distance to a place.
v
To mark or provide (a route or place) with a signpost or signposts.
v
To indicate or signal something clearly.
Morpheme Breakdown
sign
post
sign
post
Etymology
The word 'signpost' is a transparent English compound formed from two native elements. 'Sign' originates from Latin signum, meaning a mark or token, which evolved in English to denote any object or gesture conveying information. 'Post' derives from Latin postis, referring to an upright timber or pillar, a meaning retained in English. The compound logically fuses these concepts: a 'post' that bears a 'sign'. This literal construction from the 17th century perfectly captures the object's function—a physical structure designed to display directional or informational markers publicly.
Analysis
Structure: sign + post
- sign: From Latin signum (mark, token, indication). Functional role: The core semantic element, representing the informational marker.
- post: From Latin postis (doorpost, upright beam). Functional role: The structural element, representing the supporting pole.
Examples
We followed the old wooden signpost to the village.
The trail is well signposted, so it's impossible to get lost.
Her resignation was seen as a signpost of the company's deeper troubles.