signatory
signatory Lexical Profile
signatory Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person, organization, or state that has signed an official document, treaty, convention, or legal contract, thereby becoming bound by its terms.
"Over a hundred countries became signatories to the international treaty banning the use of chemical substances in agriculture."
• adjective
Having signed or joined in signing a formal document, treaty, or legally binding agreement.
"All signatory nations are legally obligated to reduce their carbon emissions under the terms of the climate accord."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'signer' can refer to anyone who signs a document (or someone who uses sign language), 'signatory' is reserved for formal, legal, or diplomatic contexts, such as nations or organizations signing a treaty or accord.
• Rhymes for signatory
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin 'signatorius' ('of or used for sealing'), from Latin 'signare' ('to mark with a seal or stamp'), ultimately derived from 'signum' ('mark, token, or seal').