SIGNIF'ICANCE, SIGNIF'ICANCY, noun [Latin significans. See Signify.] 1. Meaning; import; that which is intended to be expressed; as the significance of a nod, or of a motion of the hand, or of a word or expression. 2. Force; energy; power of impressing the mind; as a duty enjoined with particular significance. 3. Importance; moment; weight; consequence. Many a circumstance of less SIGNIFICANCY has been construed into an event act of high treason.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI