In Saussure's theory of linguistics, Saussure analyzed the term of the linguistic sign into a bi-partite, interdependent entity; that of the signifier (signifiant) and the signified (signifie). The meaning of the sign depends on the identification of a particular signifier with a particular signified. As such, a sing-for instance, a word-gets its meaning only in relation to or in contrast with other signs in a system of signs.