Insignia
/ɪnˈsɪɡ.ni.ə/noun
A badge, emblem, or distinguishing mark of office, rank, or membership.
Did you know?In Latin, *insignia* was originally the plural of *insigne*, meaning a distinguishing mark, from *in-* + *signum* (“sign”), so the word was born from the idea that power must be visibly stamped onto the body or object.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sekw-
“to follow; to notice, mark out”
Latin
Latin
signum
“a mark, token, sign, seal, military standard”
Latin
Latin
insigne
“a distinguishing mark or emblem”
Classical Latin
Latin
insignia
“distinguishing marks, badges, emblems (plural)”
Late Middle English
English
insignie
“a badge or token of office or rank”
Modern English
English
insignia
“a badge, emblem, or distinguishing mark of rank or membership”