Definition

Noun: 1. A person's signature: An informal, chiefly American term for a person's handwritten name, especially when used to sign a document. The term emphasizes the act of signing itself. 2. John Hancock (1737-1793): An American merchant, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution. He served as President of the Continental Congress and is famous for his large, bold signature on the United States Declaration of Independence.

Examples

• Noun (Signature):
  • "Put your john hancock on the dotted line to finalize the contract."
  • "We just need your john hancock at the bottom of this form."
• Noun (Historical Figure):
  • John Hancock was a wealthy merchant who used his resources to support the colonial cause.
  • The museum displayed a replica of the Declaration of Independence featuring John Hancock's prominent signature.

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost always used in its lowercase form ("john hancock") when referring to a signature. Using the uppercase form ("John Hancock") typically refers to the historical person.
• It is often used in a lighthearted or informal context when asking for someone's signature.

Variants and Related Words

• Autograph (n): A signature, especially that of a celebrity. (e.g., )
• Signature (n): A person's name written in a distinctive way as a form of identification or authorization. This is the standard, formal term.

Synonyms

• For the signature meaning: signature, autograph, hand.

Idioms and Related Phrases

• To put one's john hancock on something: To sign something.
  • As soon as you put your john hancock on this check, we can deposit it.

Noun

1. a person's own signature
2. American revolutionary patriot who was president of the Continental Congress; was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence (1737-1793)