The difference between Bellwether and Sign
When used as nouns, bellwether means the leading sheep of a flock, having a bell hung round its neck, whereas sign means a visible indication.
Sign is also verb with the meaning: to seal (a document etc.) with an identifying seal or symbol.
check bellow for the other definitions of Bellwether and Sign
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Bellwether as a noun:
The leading sheep of a flock, having a bell hung round its neck.
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Bellwether as a noun:
Anything that indicates future trends.
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Bellwether as a noun:
A stock or bond that is widely believed to be an indicator of the overall market's condition.
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Sign as a noun (sometimes, also used uncountably):
A visible indication.
Examples:
"Their angry expressions were a clear sign they didn't want to talk."
"Those clouds show signs of raining soon."
"Those clouds show little sign of raining soon."
"'Signs of disease are objective, whereas symptoms are subjective."
"The sharp sign indicates that the pitch of the note is raised a half step."
"I gave them a thumbs-up sign."
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Sign as a noun (North America, AU, uncountable):
Physical evidence left by an animal.
Examples:
"The hunters found deer sign at the end of the trail."
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Sign as a noun:
A clearly visible object, generally flat, bearing a short message in words or pictures.
Examples:
"The sign in the window advertised a room for rent."
"I missed the sign at the corner so I took the wrong turn."
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Sign as a noun:
A wonder; miracle; prodigy.
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Sign as a noun (astrology):
An astrological sign.
Examples:
"Your sign is Taurus? That's no surprise."
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Sign as a noun (mathematics):
Positive or negative polarity. (Note: it is improper to place a sign on the number zero)
Examples:
"I got the magnitude right, but the sign was wrong."
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Sign as a noun:
A specific gesture or motion used to communicate by those with speaking or hearing difficulties; now specifically, a linguistic unit in sign language equivalent to word in spoken languages.
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Sign as a noun (uncountable):
Sign language in general.
Examples:
"Sorry, I don't know sign very well."
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Sign as a noun:
An omen.
Examples:
"It's a sign of the end of the world," the doom prophet said."
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Sign as a noun (medicine):
A property of the body that indicates a disease and, unlike a symptom, is unlikely to be noticed by the patient.
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Sign as a noun:
A military emblem carried on a banner or standard.
Examples:
"rfquotek Milton"
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Sign as a verb (transitive, now, _, rare):
To make a mark To seal (a document etc.) with an identifying seal or symbol. To mark, to put or leave a mark on. To validate or ratify (a document) by writing one's signature on it. More generally, to write one's signature on (something) as a means of identification etc. To write (one's name) as a signature. To write one's signature. To finalise a contractual agreement to work for a given sports team, record label etc. To engage (a sports player, musician etc.) in a contract.
Examples:
"The Queen signed her letter with the regal signet."
"I forgot to sign that letter to my aunt."
"Just sign your name at the bottom there."
"I received a letter from some woman who signs herself ‘Mrs Trellis’."
"Please sign on the dotted line."
"It was a great month. I managed to sign three major players."
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Sign as a verb (transitive):
To make the sign of the cross To bless (someone or something) with the sign of the cross; to mark with the sign of the cross. To cross oneself.
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Sign as a verb (intransitive):
To indicate To communicate using a gesture or signal. To communicate using gestures to (someone). To use sign language. To furnish (a road etc.) with signs.
Examples:
"He signed me that I should follow him through the doorway."