significance
UK: sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns | US: sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns
n. the quality of being important or having meaning
n. the meaning or sense of something (e.g., a word, symbol, or event)
n. (statistics) a measure of the likelihood that a result is not due to chance
The word "significance" traces back to Latin significare (to indicate, signify), combining signum (mark, sign) and -ficare (a suffix meaning "to make"). The morpheme "sign" retains its core meaning of marking or signaling, while "-ify" (from Latin -ficare) implies creation or causation. The suffix "-ance" (from Latin -antia) forms abstract nouns indicating a state or quality. Over time, "significance" evolved to denote the importance or meaning derived from something that "makes a mark" or conveys meaning.
The discovery has great scientific significance.
She pondered the significance of his words.
The study’s results reached statistical significance.
Cultural significance is often attached to traditional rituals.
The symbol’s significance was lost over time.