sea snail
         n 1: small tadpole-shaped cold-water fishes with pelvic fins
               forming a sucker; related to lumpfish [syn: {snailfish},
               {seasnail}, {sea snail}, {Liparis liparis}]

English Dictionary: sign-language(a)	by the DICT Development Group
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
seasnail n small tadpole-shaped cold-water fishes with pelvic fins forming a sucker; related to lumpfish Synonym(s): snailfish, seasnail, sea snail, Liparis liparis any of several creeping marine gastropods with a spirally coiled shell: whelks; tritons; moon shells; neritids
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
seasonal adj occurring at or dependent on a particular season; "seasonal labor"; "a seasonal rise in unemployment" Antonym(s): year-around, year-round n a worker who finds employment only in certain seasons [syn: seasonal worker, seasonal]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
seasonal adjustment n a statistical adjustment made to accommodate predictable fluctuations as a function of the season of the year; "seasonal adjustments for housing starts must be made in mid-winter"
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
seasonal worker n a worker who finds employment only in certain seasons [syn: seasonal worker, seasonal]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
seasonally adv depending on the season; "prices are seasonally adjusted"
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
Seconal n barbiturate that is a white odorless slightly bitter powder (trade name Seconal) used as a sodium salt for sedation and to treat convulsions Synonym(s): secobarbital sodium, secobarbital, Seconal, red devil
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
seismal adj subject to or caused by an earthquake or earth vibration Synonym(s): seismic, seismal
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
seismologic adj of or concerned with seismology [syn: seismological, seismologic]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
seismological adj of or concerned with seismology [syn: seismological, seismologic]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
seismologist n a geophysicist who studies earthquakes and the mechanical characteristics of the Earth
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
seismology n the branch of geology that studies earthquakes
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
sesame oil n oil obtained from sesame seeds
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
sign language n language expressed by visible hand gestures [syn: {sign language}, signing]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
sign-language adj used of the language of the deaf [syn: gestural, sign(a), signed, sign-language(a)]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signal adj notably out of the ordinary; "the year saw one signal triumph for the Labour party" n any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message; "signals from the boat suddenly stopped" Synonym(s): signal, signaling, sign any incitement to action; "he awaited the signal to start"; "the victory was a signal for wild celebration" an electric quantity (voltage or current or field strength) whose modulation represents coded information about the source from which it comes v communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs; "He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture"; "The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu" Synonym(s): sign, signal, signalize, signalise be a signal for or a symptom of; "These symptoms indicate a serious illness"; "Her behavior points to a severe neurosis"; "The economic indicators signal that the euro is undervalued" Synonym(s): bespeak, betoken, indicate, point, signal
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signal box n a building from which signals are sent to control the movements of railway trains Synonym(s): signal box, signal tower
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signal caller n (football) the person who plays quarterback [syn: quarterback, signal caller, field general] (American football) the position of the football player in the backfield who directs the offensive play of his team; "quarterback is the most important position on the team" Synonym(s): quarterback, signal caller, field general
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signal detection n the detection that a signal is being received [syn: {signal detection}, detection]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signal fire n a fire set as a signal Synonym(s): signal fire, signal light
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signal flag n a rectangular piece of fabric used as a signalling device Synonym(s): flag, signal flag
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signal level n the amplitude level of the desired signal
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signal light n a fire set as a signal Synonym(s): signal fire, signal light
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signal tower n a building from which signals are sent to control the movements of railway trains Synonym(s): signal box, signal tower
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signal-to-noise n the ratio of signal intensity to noise intensity [syn: signal-to-noise ratio, signal-to-noise, signal/noise ratio, signal/noise, S/N]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signal-to-noise ratio n the ratio of signal intensity to noise intensity [syn: signal-to-noise ratio, signal-to-noise, signal/noise ratio, signal/noise, S/N]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signal/noise n the ratio of signal intensity to noise intensity [syn: signal-to-noise ratio, signal-to-noise, signal/noise ratio, signal/noise, S/N]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signal/noise ratio n the ratio of signal intensity to noise intensity [syn: signal-to-noise ratio, signal-to-noise, signal/noise ratio, signal/noise, S/N]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signaler n someone who communicates by signals [syn: signaler, signaller]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signaling n any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message; "signals from the boat suddenly stopped" Synonym(s): signal, signaling, sign
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signaling device n a device used to send signals
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signalisation n a conspicuous indication [syn: signalization, signalisation]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signalise v provide with traffic signals; "signalize a busy intersection" Synonym(s): signalize, signalise communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs; "He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture"; "The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu" Synonym(s): sign, signal, signalize, signalise point out carefully and clearly Synonym(s): signalize, signalise, point out, call attention make conspicuous or noteworthy Synonym(s): signalize, signalise, distinguish
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signalization n a conspicuous indication [syn: signalization, signalisation]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signalize v provide with traffic signals; "signalize a busy intersection" Synonym(s): signalize, signalise communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs; "He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture"; "The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu" Synonym(s): sign, signal, signalize, signalise point out carefully and clearly Synonym(s): signalize, signalise, point out, call attention make conspicuous or noteworthy Synonym(s): signalize, signalise, distinguish
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signaller n someone who communicates by signals [syn: signaler, signaller]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signally adv as a signal; "a term that is used signally rather than symbolically" in a signal manner; "signally inappropriate methods" Synonym(s): signally, unmistakably, remarkably
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signalman n a railroad employee in charge of signals and point in a railroad yard
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
signals intelligence n intelligence information gathered from communications intelligence or electronics intelligence or telemetry intelligence Synonym(s): signals intelligence, SIGINT
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
succinylcholine n a muscle relaxant for striated muscle that is used as an adjunct to anesthesia during certain surgical procedures
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
Suez Canal n a ship canal in northeastern Egypt linking the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Schismless \Schism"less\, a.       Free from schism.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Sea snail \Sea" snail`\ (Zo[94]l.)       (a) A small fish of the genus {Liparis}, having a ventral             sucker. It lives among stones and seaweeds.       (b) Any small creeping marine gastropod, as the species of             Littorina, Natica, etc.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Seasonal \Sea"son*al\, a.       Of or pertaining to the seasons.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
{Seasonal dimorphism} (Zo[94]l.), the condition of having two             distinct varieties which appear at different seasons, as             certain species of butterflies in which the spring brood             differs from the summer or autumnal brood.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Seasonless \Sea"son*less\, a.       Without succession of the seasons.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Seismic \Seis"mic\, Seismal \Seis"mal\, a. [Gr. seismo`s an       earthquake, from sei`ein to shake.]       Of or pertaining to an earthquake; caused by an earthquake.          {Seismic vertical}, the point upon the earth's surface             vertically over the center of effort or focal point whence             the earthquake's impulse proceeds, or the vertical line             connecting these two points.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Seismological \Seis`mo*log"ic*al\, a.       Of or pertaining to seismology. -- {Seis`mo*log"ic*al*ly},       adv.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Seismological \Seis`mo*log"ic*al\, a.       Of or pertaining to seismology. -- {Seis`mo*log"ic*al*ly},       adv.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Seismology \Seis*mol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. [?][?][?] an earthquake +       -logy.]       The science of earthquakes.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Sessional \Ses"sion*al\, a.       Of or pertaining to a session or sessions.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Sexennial \Sex*en"ni*al\, a. [L. sexennium a period of six       years, sexennis of six years; sex six + annus a year. See       {Six}, and {Annual}.]       Lasting six years, or happening once in six years. -- n. A       sexennial event.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Sexennially \Sex*en"ni*al*ly\, adv.       Once in six years.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Signal \Sig"nal\, a. [From signal, n.: cf. F. signal[82].]       1. Noticeable; distinguished from what is ordinary; eminent;             remarkable; memorable; as, a signal exploit; a signal             service; a signal act of benevolence.                         As signal now in low, dejected state As erst in                      highest, behold him where he lies.      --Milton.          2. Of or pertaining to signals, or the use of signals in             conveying information; as, a signal flag or officer.          {The signal service}, a bureau of the government (in the             United States connected with the War Department) organized             to collect from the whole country simultaneous raports of             local meteorological conditions, upon comparison of which             at the central office, predictions concerning the weather             are telegraphed to various sections, where they are made             known by signals publicly displayed.          {Signal station}, the place where a signal is displayed;             specifically, an observation office of the signal service.          Syn: Eminent; remarkable; memorable; extraordinary; notable;                conspicuous.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Signal \Sig"nal\, n. [F., fr. LL. signale, fr. L. signum. See       {Sign}, n.]       1. A sign made for the purpose of giving notice to a person             of some occurence, command, or danger; also, a sign,             event, or watchword, which has been agreed upon as the             occasion of concerted action.                         All obeyed The wonted signal and superior voice Of                      this great potentate.                        --Milton.          2. A token; an indication; a foreshadowing; a sign.                         The weary sun . . . Gives signal of a goodly day                      to-morrow.                                          --Shak.                         There was not the least signal of the calamity to be                      seen.                                                --De Foc.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Signal \Sig"nal\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Signaled or Signalled};       p. pr. & vb. n. {Signaling} or {Signalling}.]       1. To communicate by signals; as, to signal orders.          2. To notify by a signals; to make a signal or signals to;             as, to signal a fleet to anchor. --M. Arnold.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Signal \Sig"nal\, a. [From signal, n.: cf. F. signal[82].]       1. Noticeable; distinguished from what is ordinary; eminent;             remarkable; memorable; as, a signal exploit; a signal             service; a signal act of benevolence.                         As signal now in low, dejected state As erst in                      highest, behold him where he lies.      --Milton.          2. Of or pertaining to signals, or the use of signals in             conveying information; as, a signal flag or officer.          {The signal service}, a bureau of the government (in the             United States connected with the War Department) organized             to collect from the whole country simultaneous raports of             local meteorological conditions, upon comparison of which             at the central office, predictions concerning the weather             are telegraphed to various sections, where they are made             known by signals publicly displayed.          {Signal station}, the place where a signal is displayed;             specifically, an observation office of the signal service.          Syn: Eminent; remarkable; memorable; extraordinary; notable;                conspicuous.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Telegraph \Tel"e*graph\, n. [Gr. [?] far, far off (cf. Lith.       toli) + -graph: cf. F. t[82]l[82]graphe. See {Graphic}.]       An apparatus, or a process, for communicating intelligence       rapidly between distant points, especially by means of       preconcerted visible or audible signals representing words or       ideas, or by means of words and signs, transmitted by       electrical action.          Note: The instruments used are classed as indicator,                type-printing, symbol-printing, or chemical-printing                telegraphs, according as the intelligence is given by                the movements of a pointer or indicator, as in Cooke &                Wheatstone's (the form commonly used in England), or by                impressing, on a fillet of paper, letters from types,                as in House's and Hughe's, or dots and marks from a                sharp point moved by a magnet, as in Morse's, or                symbols produced by electro-chemical action, as in                Bain's. In the offices in the United States the                recording instrument is now little used, the receiving                operator reading by ear the combinations of long and                short intervals of sound produced by the armature of an                electro-magnet as it is put in motion by the opening                and breaking of the circuit, which motion, in                registering instruments, traces upon a ribbon of paper                the lines and dots used to represent the letters of the                alphabet. See Illustration in Appendix.          {Acoustic telegraph}. See under {Acoustic}.          {Dial telegraph}, a telegraph in which letters of the             alphabet and numbers or other symbols are placed upon the             border of a circular dial plate at each station, the             apparatus being so arranged that the needle or index of             the dial at the receiving station accurately copies the             movements of that at the sending station.          {Electric telegraph}, [or] {Electro-magnetic telegraph}, a             telegraph in which an operator at one station causes words             or signs to be made at another by means of a current of             electricity, generated by a battery and transmitted over             an intervening wire.          {Facsimile telegraph}. See under {Facsimile}.          {Indicator telegraph}. See under {Indicator}.          {Pan-telegraph}, an electric telegraph by means of which a             drawing or writing, as an autographic message, may be             exactly reproduced at a distant station.          {Printing telegraph}, an electric telegraph which             automatically prints the message as it is received at a             distant station, in letters, not signs.          {Signal telegraph}, a telegraph in which preconcerted             signals, made by a machine, or otherwise, at one station,             are seen or heard and interpreted at another; a semaphore.                      {Submarine telegraph cable}, a telegraph cable laid under             water to connect stations separated by a body of water.          {Telegraph cable}, a telegraphic cable consisting of several             conducting wires, inclosed by an insulating and protecting             material, so as to bring the wires into compact compass             for use on poles, or to form a strong cable impervious to             water, to be laid under ground, as in a town or city, or             under water, as in the ocean.          {Telegraph plant} (Bot.), a leguminous plant ({Desmodium             gyrans}) native of the East Indies. The leaflets move up             and down like the signals of a semaphore.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Signal \Sig"nal\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Signaled or Signalled};       p. pr. & vb. n. {Signaling} or {Signalling}.]       1. To communicate by signals; as, to signal orders.          2. To notify by a signals; to make a signal or signals to;             as, to signal a fleet to anchor. --M. Arnold.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Signal \Sig"nal\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Signaled or Signalled};       p. pr. & vb. n. {Signaling} or {Signalling}.]       1. To communicate by signals; as, to signal orders.          2. To notify by a signals; to make a signal or signals to;             as, to signal a fleet to anchor. --M. Arnold.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Signalist \Sig"nal*ist\, n.       One who makes signals; one who communicates intelligence by       means of signals.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Signality \Sig*nal"i*ty\, n.       The quality or state of being signal or remarkable. [Obs.]       --Sir T. Browne.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Signalize \Sig"nal*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Signalized}; p.       pr. & vb. n. {Signalizing}.] [From {Signal}, a.]       1. To make signal or eminent; to render distinguished from             what is common; to distinguish.                         It is this passion which drives men to all the ways                      we see in use of signalizing themselves. --Burke.          2. To communicate with by means of a signal; as, a ship             signalizes its consort.          3. To indicate the existence, presence, or fact of, by a             signal; as, to signalize the arrival of a steamer.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Signalize \Sig"nal*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Signalized}; p.       pr. & vb. n. {Signalizing}.] [From {Signal}, a.]       1. To make signal or eminent; to render distinguished from             what is common; to distinguish.                         It is this passion which drives men to all the ways                      we see in use of signalizing themselves. --Burke.          2. To communicate with by means of a signal; as, a ship             signalizes its consort.          3. To indicate the existence, presence, or fact of, by a             signal; as, to signalize the arrival of a steamer.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Signalize \Sig"nal*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Signalized}; p.       pr. & vb. n. {Signalizing}.] [From {Signal}, a.]       1. To make signal or eminent; to render distinguished from             what is common; to distinguish.                         It is this passion which drives men to all the ways                      we see in use of signalizing themselves. --Burke.          2. To communicate with by means of a signal; as, a ship             signalizes its consort.          3. To indicate the existence, presence, or fact of, by a             signal; as, to signalize the arrival of a steamer.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Signal \Sig"nal\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Signaled or Signalled};       p. pr. & vb. n. {Signaling} or {Signalling}.]       1. To communicate by signals; as, to signal orders.          2. To notify by a signals; to make a signal or signals to;             as, to signal a fleet to anchor. --M. Arnold.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Signally \Sig"nal*ly\, adv.       In a signal manner; eminently.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Signalman \Sig"nal*man\, n.; pl. {-men}.       A man whose business is to manage or display signals;       especially, one employed in setting the signals by which       railroad trains are run or warned.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Signalment \Sig"nal*ment\, n.       The act of signaling, or of signalizing; hence, description       by peculiar, appropriate, or characteristic marks. --Mrs.       Browning.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Succinyl \Suc"cin*yl\, n. [Succinic + -yl.] (Chem.)       A hypothetical radical characteristic of succinic acid and       certain of its derivatives.
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]:
Signal Hill, CA (city, FIPS 71876)       Location: 33.80360 N, 118.16741 W       Population (1990): 8371 (3670 housing units)       Area: 5.8 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)       Zip code(s): 90804, 90806, 90807
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]:
Signal Mountain, TN (town, FIPS 68540)       Location: 35.13043 N, 85.34210 W       Population (1990): 7034 (2718 housing units)       Area: 13.1 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)       Zip code(s): 37377
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]:
Six Mile, SC (town, FIPS 66760)       Location: 34.80779 N, 82.81909 W       Population (1990): 562 (206 housing units)       Area: 4.3 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)       Zip code(s): 29682
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]:
Six Mile Run, PA       Zip code(s): 16679
From Jargon File (4.2.0, 31 JAN 2000) [jargon]:
signal-to-noise ratio [from analog electronics] n.   Used by    hackers in a generalization of its technical meaning.   `Signal'    refers to useful information conveyed by some communications medium,    and `noise' to anything else on that medium.   Hence a low ratio    implies that it is not worth paying attention to the medium in    question.   Figures for such metaphorical ratios are never given.    The term is most often applied to {Usenet} newsgroups during {flame    war}s.   Compare {bandwidth}.   See also {coefficient of X}, {lost in    the noise}.
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]:
session layer          The third highest {protocol layer} (layer 5) in the {OSI}       seven layer model.   The session layer uses the {transport       layer} to establish a {connection} between processes on       different {hosts}.   It handles {security} and creation of the       session.   It is used by the {presentation layer}.          Documents: {ITU} Rec. X.225 ({ISO} 8327), ITU Rec. X.215 (ISO       8326).          [Examples?]          (1997-12-07)
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]:
signal          A predefined message sent between two       {Unix} {processes} or from the {kernel} to a process.   Signals       communicate the occurrence of unexpected external events such       as the forced termination of a process by the user.   Each       signal has a unique number associated with it and each process       has a signal handler set for each signal.   Signals can be sent       using the {kill} {system call}.          (1996-12-10)
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]:
SIGNAL          A synchronous language by Le Guernic et al of       {INRIA}.          ["SIGNAL - A Data Flow-Oriented Language for Signal       Processing," P. le Guernic, IEEE Trans Acoustics Speech &       Signal Proc, ASSP-34(2):362-1986-04-374].          (1996-12-10)
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]:
signal          A predefined message sent between two       {Unix} {processes} or from the {kernel} to a process.   Signals       communicate the occurrence of unexpected external events such       as the forced termination of a process by the user.   Each       signal has a unique number associated with it and each process       has a signal handler set for each signal.   Signals can be sent       using the {kill} {system call}.          (1996-12-10)
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]:
SIGNAL          A synchronous language by Le Guernic et al of       {INRIA}.          ["SIGNAL - A Data Flow-Oriented Language for Signal       Processing," P. le Guernic, IEEE Trans Acoustics Speech &       Signal Proc, ASSP-34(2):362-1986-04-374].          (1996-12-10)
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]:
signalling rate          The number of times per second the       {amplitude}, {frequency} or {phase} of the signal transmitted       down a communications channel changes each second.   The       signalling rate is measured in {baud}.          (1998-02-14)
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]:
Signalling System 7          (SS7) A {protocol} suite used for communication       with, and control of, telephone central office switches and       their attached processors.          (1995-03-01)
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]:
signal-to-noise ratio          1. (SNR, "s/n ratio", "s:n ratio") "Signal"       refers to useful information conveyed by some communications       medium, and "noise" to anything else on that medium.   The       ratio of these is usually expressed logarithmically, in       {decibels}.          2. The term is often applied to {Usenet}       newsgroups though figures are never given.   Here it is quite       common to have more noise (inappropriate postings which       contribute nothing) than signal (relevant, useful or       interesting postings).   The signal gets {lost in the noise}       when it becomes too much effort to try to find interesting       articles among all the crud.   Posting "noise" is probably the       worst breach of {netiquette} and is a waste of {bandwidth}.          [{Jargon File}]          (1996-01-29)