SEMAPHORE

semaphore

(noun) an apparatus for visual signaling with lights or mechanically moving arms

semaphore

(verb) convey by semaphore, of information

semaphore

(verb) send signals by or as if by semaphore

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

semaphore (countable and uncountable, plural semaphores)

Any equipment used for visual signalling by means of flags, lights, or mechanically moving arms which are used to represent letters of the alphabet, or words.

(also, figuratively) A visual system for transmitting information using the above equipment; or (by extension) by means of two flags held one in each hand, using an alphabetic and numeric code based on the position of the signaller's arms; flag semaphore.

(computing) 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

semaphore (third-person singular simple present semaphores, present participle semaphoring, simple past and past participle semaphored)

(ambitransitive, also, figuratively) To signal using, or as if using, a semaphore, with the implication that it is done non-verbally.