Signification

signification (signification) In Lacan's pre-1950 writings, the term

'signification' is used in a general way to connote both meaningfulness and

importance (e.g. Ec, 81). In 1946, for example, Lacan criticises organicist

psychiatry for ignoring 'the significations of madness' (Ec, 167; see Ec, 153-

4). In the period 1953-7 the term retains these vague associations with the

Realm of meaning and language, and is thus located in the Symbolic order (S4,

121).