Changes

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French, from Medieval Latin signatura, from [[Latin]] signatus, past participle of signare to sign, seal

Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French, from Medieval Latin signatura, from [[Latin]] signatus, past participle of signare to sign, seal

*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Century 1536]

*Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Century 1536]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1 a : the [[act]] of signing one's name to something  

*1 a : the [[act]] of signing one's name to something  

For example, the role of a signature in many consumer [[contract]]s is not solely to provide [[evidence]] of the [[identity]] of the contracting party, but rather to additionally provide [[evidence]] of deliberation and informed [[consent]]. This is why the signature often appears at the bottom or end of a [[document]].

For example, the role of a signature in many consumer [[contract]]s is not solely to provide [[evidence]] of the [[identity]] of the contracting party, but rather to additionally provide [[evidence]] of deliberation and informed [[consent]]. This is why the signature often appears at the bottom or end of a [[document]].

In many countries, signatures may be [[witnessed]] and recorded in the [[presence]] of a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notary_Public Notary Public] to carry additional [[legal]] [[force]]. On legal [[documents]], an illiterate signatory can make a "mark" (often an "X" but occasionally a personalized [[symbol]]), so long as the document is countersigned by a literate [[witness]]. In some countries, illiterates place a thumbprint on legal documents in lieu of a written signature.

In many countries, signatures may be [[witnessed]] and recorded in the [[presence]] of a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notary_Public Notary Public] to carry additional [[legal]] [[force]]. On legal [[documents]], an illiterate signatory can make a "mark" (often an "X" but occasionally a personalized [[symbol]]), so long as the document is countersigned by a literate [[witness]]. In some countries, illiterates place a thumbprint on legal documents in lieu of a written signature.

There are many other terms which are synonymous with 'signature'. In the United States, one is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hancock John Hancock], named after the first of the signatories of the United States [[Declaration of Independence]].

There are many other terms which are synonymous with 'signature'. In the United States, one is [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hancock John Hancock], named after the first of the signatories of the United States [[Declaration of Independence]].

The signature of a famous [[person]] is sometimes known as an ''autograph'', and is then typically [[written]] on its own or with a brief note to the recipient. Rather than providing [[authentication]] for a [[document]], the autograph is given as a souvenir which acknowledges the recipient's [[access]] to the autographer.

The signature of a famous [[person]] is sometimes known as an ''autograph'', and is then typically [[written]] on its own or with a brief note to the recipient. Rather than providing [[authentication]] for a [[document]], the autograph is given as a souvenir which acknowledges the recipient's [[access]] to the autographer.

In the United States, some states’ legal definition of a signature defines a signature to mean "any memorandum, mark, or sign made with [[intent]] to [[authenticate]] any instrument or [[writing]], or the subscription of any [[person]] thereto." In the [[context]] of one particular statute, a signature doesn’t have to be the popular notion of a written name, but may be other [[methods]] of [[authentication]]; the [[intent]] of any mark or memorandum makes a signature.

In the United States, some states’ legal definition of a signature defines a signature to mean "any memorandum, mark, or sign made with [[intent]] to [[authenticate]] any instrument or [[writing]], or the subscription of any [[person]] thereto." In the [[context]] of one particular statute, a signature doesn’t have to be the popular notion of a written name, but may be other [[methods]] of [[authentication]]; the [[intent]] of any mark or memorandum makes a signature.

Many [[individuals]] have much more fanciful signatures than their [[normal]] cursive writing, including elaborate [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascender_(typography) ascenders], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descender descenders] and exotic [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/flourish flourishes], much as one would find in [[calligraphic]] writing. As an example, the final "k" in John Hancock's famous signature on the US [[Declaration of Independence]] loops back to underline his name. This kind of flourish is also known as a [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/paraph paraph].

Many [[individuals]] have much more fanciful signatures than their [[normal]] cursive writing, including elaborate [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascender_(typography) ascenders], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descender descenders] and exotic [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/flourish flourishes], much as one would find in [[calligraphic]] writing. As an example, the final "k" in John Hancock's famous signature on the US [[Declaration of Independence]] loops back to underline his name. This kind of flourish is also known as a [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/paraph paraph].

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]