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in·sig·ni·a  (ĭn-sĭgnē-ə) also in·sig·ne (-nē)
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Tweet n. pl. insignia or in·sig·ni·as also in·sig·nes 1. A badge of office, rank, membership, or nationality; an emblem. 2. A distinguishing sign. [Latin īnsignia, pl. of īnsigne, badge of office, mark, from neuter of īnsignis, distinguished, marked : in-, in; see IN-2 + signum, sign; see sekw-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] Usage Note: Insignia in Latin is the plural form of insigne, but it has long been used in English as both a singular and a plural form: The insignia was visible on the wingtip. There are five insignia on various parts of the plane. From the singular use of insignia comes the plural insignias, which is also acceptable. The Latin singular insigne is largely restricted to military contexts; in other contexts, it may strike some as pedantic. |
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