TERMIUM Plus®
The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.
SIGNAL ASPECT [10 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2009-05-14
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Signalling (Rail Transport)
- Railroad Safety
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- two aspect signal
1, record 1, English, two%20aspect%20signal
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
- two-aspect signal 2, record 1, English, two%2Daspect%20signal
correct
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
A two aspect signal can either be yellow or green, or red and green. As with other colour light signal formations, a yellow aspect means the next section is clear but there is a train in the following one. A green indicates the next two sections are clear. 1, record 1, English, - two%20aspect%20signal
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Signalisation (Transport par rail)
- Sécurité (Transport par rail)
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- signal à deux aspects
1, record 1, French, signal%20%C3%A0%20deux%20aspects
masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- bloc à deux aspects 2, record 1, French, bloc%20%C3%A0%20deux%20aspects
masculine noun
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
La signalisation de fin de double voie est composée de 2 signaux à 3 aspects sur la voie directe et d'un signal à deux aspects utilisé pour les trains rejoignant la voie principale. 1, record 1, French, - signal%20%C3%A0%20deux%20aspects
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record 2 - internal organization data 2009-05-04
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Signalling (Rail Transport)
- Railroad Safety
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- three-aspect signal 1, record 2, English, three%2Daspect%20signal
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
- three aspect signal 2, record 2, English, three%20aspect%20signal
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
In railway signalling, the aspect is the number of lights on a signal, and their state. For example, the standard three-light traffic signal is a three-aspect signal. 3, record 2, English, - three%2Daspect%20signal
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Signalisation (Transport par rail)
- Sécurité (Transport par rail)
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- signal à trois aspects
1, record 2, French, signal%20%C3%A0%20trois%20aspects
masculine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record 3 - internal organization data 2009-03-26
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Signalling (Rail Transport)
- Railroad Safety
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- approach locking
1, record 3, English, approach%20locking
correct
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Electric locking effective while a train is approaching, within a specified distance, a signal displaying an aspect to proceed. 1, record 3, English, - approach%20locking
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Signalisation (Transport par rail)
- Sécurité (Transport par rail)
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- enclenchement d'approche
1, record 3, French, enclenchement%20d%27approche
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Enclenchement électrique actionné lorsqu'un train occupe la zone d'approche d'un signal donnant une indication de voie libre. 1, record 3, French, - enclenchement%20d%27approche
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record 4 - internal organization data 2007-01-13
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- Audio Technology
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- unbalanced connection
1, record 4, English, unbalanced%20connection
correct
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
An interconnection between audio components in which there are two conductors, signal and ground. 1, record 4, English, - unbalanced%20connection
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
The ’unbalanced’ aspect of this connection is that, since ground is the reference, each of the two signal leads has a very different(unbalanced) impedance relationship to the reference. This is of no consequence unless there are noises or hum potentials in the grounding of the interconnected components. Commonly employs a coaxial cable, in which the outer cylindrical shield serves as the ground connection. 1, record 4, English, - unbalanced%20connection
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Électroacoustique
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- connexion dissymétrique
1, record 4, French, connexion%20dissym%C3%A9trique
feminine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Interconnexion entre des composants audio comportant deux conducteurs : le signal et le son. 1, record 4, French, - connexion%20dissym%C3%A9trique
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Le caractère «dissymétrique» de cette connexion tient au fait que la terre étant utilisée comme référence, chacune des deux extrémités du signal présente un rapport d'impédance très différent (dissymétrique) avec la référence. Cette différence est sans effet, excepté en présence de bruits ou de bourdonnements dans la mise à la terre des composants interconnectés. Cette connexion utilise en général un câble coaxial, dont le blindage cylindrique extérieur sert de connexion à la terre. 1, record 4, French, - connexion%20dissym%C3%A9trique
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record 5 - internal organization data 2002-10-23
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- Optics
- Signalling (Rail Transport)
- Rail Traffic Control
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- phantom signal aspect
1, record 5, English, phantom%20signal%20aspect
correct
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
Record 5, Synonyms, English
- phantom light 1, record 5, English, phantom%20light
correct
- phantom indication 1, record 5, English, phantom%20indication
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
an aspect displayed by a light signal, different from the aspect intended, caused by a light from an external source being reflected by the optical system of the signal. 2, record 5, English, - phantom%20signal%20aspect
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Lamps may be equipped with Phankill units to reduce apparent illumination from reflected light (called phantom indication) and with wire mesh guards for protection. 2, record 5, English, - phantom%20signal%20aspect
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Optique
- Signalisation (Transport par rail)
- Circulation des trains
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- feu fantôme
1, record 5, French, feu%20fant%C3%B4me
correct, masculine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
Record 5, Synonyms, French
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Indication intempestive d'un signal provoquée par la réflexion de rayons étrangers (notamment rayons de soleil) frappant l'unité lumineuse. 2, record 5, French, - feu%20fant%C3%B4me
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record 6 - internal organization data 1993-10-31
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- Climatology
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- climatic noise
1, record 6, English, climatic%20noise
correct
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
Record 6, Synonyms, English
- climate noise 2, record 6, English, climate%20noise
correct
- noise 3, record 6, English, noise
correct
Record 6, Textual support, English
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Studies of the interannual variability of climate have great practical value per se and they also would constitute a base to study the climatic noise from which the climate signal, i.e. the climate change should be discerned. 1, record 6, English, - climatic%20noise
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Noise is necessarily a background noise(otherwise it would be a signal), but background noise should be considered a different aspect of the same concept. 4, record 6, English, - climatic%20noise
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Climatologie
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- bruit
1, record 6, French, bruit
correct, masculine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
Record 6, Synonyms, French
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Des registres de données sont actuellement disponibles pour les dix ou vingt dernières années, et ils peuvent être analysés pour déterminer s'il y a un signal d'effet de serre clair et sans ambiguïté qui tranche sur le bruit actuel de changement climatique. 2, record 6, French, - bruit
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Les textes français n'attestent pas l'emploi, directement accolé au terme pivot, du déterminant «climatique»; par contre il arrive fréquemment que le contexte (déterminant périphrastique) agisse comme déterminant : bruit relatif au climat, bruit causé par les variations climatiques, etc. 3, record 6, French, - bruit
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Théorie de la détection du signal : dans cette théorie, on décrit le «signal» (stimulus à identifier ou souvenir à reconnaître) comme une distribution statistique sur un ensemble de valeurs d'abscisse, et le «bruit» (autres stimulations ou autres souvenirs) de la même façon; ce sont les relations entre ces distribution, et les critères de décision adoptés par le sujet, qui gouvernent la détection. 4, record 6, French, - bruit
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Record 7 - internal organization data 1991-12-12
Record 7, English
Record 7, Subject field(s)
- Rail Transport Operations
Record 7, Main entry term, English
- indication 1, record 7, English, indication
Record 7, Abbreviations, English
Record 7, Synonyms, English
Record 7, Textual support, English
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The information conveyed by the aspect of a signal. 1, record 7, English, - indication
Record 7, French
Record 7, Domaine(s)
- Exploitation (Transport par rail)
Record 7, Main entry term, French
- indication
1, record 7, French, indication
feminine noun
Record 7, Abbreviations, French
Record 7, Synonyms, French
- signification 1, record 7, French, signification
feminine noun
Record 7, Textual support, French
Record 7, Spanish
Record 7, Textual support, Spanish
Record 8 - internal organization data 1989-09-11
Record 8, English
Record 8, Subject field(s)
- Radar, Radio Guidance and Goniometry
Record 8, Main entry term, English
- simple target
1, record 8, English, simple%20target
correct
Record 8, Abbreviations, English
Record 8, Synonyms, English
Record 8, Textual support, English
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A target having a reflecting surface such that the amplitude of the reflected signal does not vary with the aspect of the target, for example, a metal sphere.... 1, record 8, English, - simple%20target
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 OBS
... distinguished from complex target. 1, record 8, English, - simple%20target
Record 8, French
Record 8, Domaine(s)
- Radar, radioguidage et radiogoniométrie
Record 8, Main entry term, French
- cible simple
1, record 8, French, cible%20simple
correct, feminine noun
Record 8, Abbreviations, French
Record 8, Synonyms, French
Record 8, Textual support, French
Record 8, Spanish
Record 8, Textual support, Spanish
Record 9 - internal organization data 1987-10-22
Record 9, English
Record 9, Subject field(s)
- Signalling (Rail Transport)
Record 9, Main entry term, English
- false clear aspect
1, record 9, English, false%20clear%20aspect
correct
Record 9, Abbreviations, English
Record 9, Synonyms, English
Record 9, Textual support, English
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 OBS
An aspect of a signal that conveys an indication less restrictive than intended. 1, record 9, English, - false%20clear%20aspect
Record 9, French
Record 9, Domaine(s)
- Signalisation (Transport par rail)
Record 9, Main entry term, French
- faux aspect permissif
1, record 9, French, faux%20aspect%20permissif
correct, masculine noun
Record 9, Abbreviations, French
Record 9, Synonyms, French
Record 9, Textual support, French
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 OBS
A la suite d'un mauvais fonctionnement des circuits, le signal donne une indication moins restrictive qu'il ne le devrait. Par exemple : un signal jaune alors qu'il devrait être rouge. 1, record 9, French, - faux%20aspect%20permissif
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Expression utilisée dans un cours de formation à la Signalisation. 1, record 9, French, - faux%20aspect%20permissif
Record 9, Spanish
Record 9, Textual support, Spanish
Record 10 - internal organization data 1981-06-09
Record 10, English
Record 10, Subject field(s)
- Signalling (Rail Transport)
- General Vocabulary
Record 10, Main entry term, English
- Standard Practice Bulletin 1, record 10, English, Standard%20Practice%20Bulletin
Record 10, Abbreviations, English
Record 10, Synonyms, English
Record 10, Textual support, English
Record number: 10, Textual support number: 1 OBS
The Standard Practice Bulletin... will be issued relating to different areas of signal work... Each... will outline a recommended practice for some particular aspect of signal work... through a step-by-step description of how the job should be carried out, or by stating the necessary standards that are necessary for the completed work. 1, record 10, English, - Standard%20Practice%20Bulletin
Record 10, French
Record 10, Domaine(s)
- Signalisation (Transport par rail)
- Vocabulaire général
Record 10, Main entry term, French
- Bulletin Technique
1, record 10, French, Bulletin%20Technique
officially approved
Record 10, Abbreviations, French
Record 10, Synonyms, French
Record 10, Textual support, French
Record number: 10, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Traduction convenue entre M. Dusablon, sup. régional, Signalisation, et Claire Dion, réviseur, C.P. On adoptera cette traduction au lieu de "Notice Technique" (cf T 11a-497) pour faire la distinction entre le service de l'entretien de la voie (Standard Practice Circular) et celui de signalisation. 1, record 10, French, - Bulletin%20Technique
Record number: 10, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Terme uniformisé par Canadien Pacifique Ltée. 1, record 10, French, - Bulletin%20Technique
Record 10, Spanish
Record 10, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2025
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
Language Portal of Canada

Access a collection of Canadian resources on all aspects of English and French, including quizzes.
Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified: