Lewis & Short

signĭfer, fĕra, fĕrum, adj. [signumfero].

  1. I. In gen., sign-bearing, imagebearing, i.e. bearing signs, figures, or images (poet.): puppis, i.e. adorned or painted with images, Luc. 3, 558; so, crater, Val. Fl. 1, 337: manus, giving signals, Amm. 27, 9, 7.
  2. II. In partic. (class.).
    1. A. Bearing the heavenly signs or constellations, starry: aether, Lucr. 6, 481: caelum, Luc. 7, 363; 8, 172: orbis, qui Graece ζωδιακὸς dicitur, the zodiac, Cic. Div. 2, 42, 89; so, orbis, Lucr. 5, 691; Sen. Q. N. 7, 11, 8; for which also, polus, Luc. 3, 254; Amm. 26, 1, 1; and subst. signifer, the sky, the heavens, etc., Sen. Q. N. 7, 24, 1; 7, 12, 8; Vitr. 6, 1; Plin. 2, 10, 7, § 48; Claud. in Rufin. 1, 365 al.
    2. B. In milit. lang., subst.: signĭfer, fĕri, m.
      1. 1. Lit., a standard-bearer, ensign: signifero interfecto, signo amisso, etc., Caes. B. G. 2, 25; id. B. C. 3, 74; Cic. Div. 1, 35, 77; Liv. 6, 8; 22, 3; Ov. Am. 2, 12, 14.
      2. 2. Transf., leader, head, chief, etc.: nostrae causae duces et quasi signiferi, Cic. Planc. 30, 74: signifer juventutis, id. Sull. 12, 34; id. Mur. 25, 50; id. Att. 2, 1, 7; Suet. Ner. 26; id. Vit. Luc.