signaling
Transmitting a message
Signaling is communication through signs, gestures, or indicators rather than explicit statement.
Traffic lights signal when to stop and go.
In economics and biology, signaling describes behavior that conveys information about hidden qualities: A college degree serves as signaling to employers.
Virtue signaling is expressing opinions mainly to demonstrate good character rather than effect change.
Urgent warning signal
- sirenWailing alert device
- emergencySerious sudden danger
- flareSudden bright burst
- beaconGuiding light source
horn · bell · whistle · broadcast · evacuation · intercom · pager · klaxon
Oscillating motion through medium
Permanent track for trains
- crossingPoint where paths intersect
- intersectionPoint where paths meet
- semaphoreFlag-based signaling system
- lightsSources of illumination
stop · yield · merge · detour · railway · switchman · flagman · interlocking
Done for appearance's sake
- posturingInsincere behavior for effect
- displayPresentation for viewing
- symbolicRepresenting through signs
- conspicuousClearly visible, attention-grabbing
inauthentic · superficial · gesture · public · woke · hashtag · activism · optics
Proteins binding specific molecules
- transductionSignal or energy transformation
- neurotransmittersChemical neural messengers
- pathwaysRoutes for walking
- pheromonesSpecies-specific chemical messengers
hormones · cytokines · synaptic · cellular · ligand · cascade · insulin · dopamine
alarm
Urgent warning signal
beacon · horn · bell · whistle · broadcast · evacuation · intercom · pager · klaxon · foghorn
wave
Oscillating motion through medium
pointing · beckon · shrug · salute · bow · curtsy · mime · semaphore
railroad
Permanent track for trains
- crossingPoint where paths intersect
- intersectionPoint where paths meet
- semaphoreFlag-based signaling system
lights · stop · yield · merge · detour · railway · switchman · flagman · interlocking · wayside
performative
Done for appearance's sake
- posturingInsincere behavior for effect
- displayPresentation for viewing
- symbolicRepresenting through signs
conspicuous · inauthentic · superficial · gesture · public · woke · hashtag · activism · optics · grandstanding
receptors
Proteins binding specific molecules
- transductionSignal or energy transformation
- neurotransmittersChemical neural messengers
- pathwaysRoutes for walking
pheromones · hormones · cytokines · synaptic · cellular · ligand · cascade · insulin · dopamine · serotonin
modulation
Varying signals to transmit
analog · multiplexing · waveform · carrier · pulse · bitrate · protocol · handshake · synchronization · amplitude
hint
Indirect suggestion
omen · harbinger · precursor · foreshadowing · portent · tell · giveaway · tipoff · marker · token
- maritime studiesseamanship, marine navigation, oceanography, hydrography, maritime safety
- naval dutiesanchor watch, battle stations, damage control, general quarters, guard duty
- railway worktrack worker, switching, shunting, train operation, engineer
- ship operationsanchoring, berthing, docking, undocking, mooring
- communicatingtalking, speaking, telling, sharing, expressing
- drivingdrive, steering, driver, acceleration, motorist
signalingdeclaring
Formally stating something
announcing · articulating · verbalizing · spelling out · directness
signalingconcealing
Keeping something secret
hiding · masking · disguising · suppressing · obscuring
- virtue signalingShowy ethical posturing
- Wnt signalingDevelopmental signaling cascade
- status signalingCommunicating social standing
- emergency signalingTransmitting urgent pleas for aid