Difference between signify and mean

[Guest]

Test No. incompl/advan-33 "Flying across the Channel", question 1

Do you have any idea what BASE jumping .........?

(a) signifies
(b) means
(c) says
(d) tells

Test No. incompl/advan-33 "Flying across the Channel", answer 1

Do you have any idea what BASE jumping means?

Correct answer: (b) means

Your answer was: correct
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I was lucky and chose the correct word. But why does not suit "signifies" which has an equivalent meaning?

[Alan]

Signify means indicate - it doesn't explain the sense of a word.
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[Amiranow]

can you tell examples about significance?[/quote]

[Ralf]

The battle of Waterloo was of historical significance.

It is of no significance whether you are black or white. Before God, everyone is compelled to lower his plumes.
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[Amiranow]