It refers to a specific characteristic or event that is indicative of the current social, cultural, or historical period.
Here are some examples of how it's used:
* "The widespread use of smartphones is a signum temporis of our modern world."
* "The rise of nationalism in many countries is a signum temporis that we are living in uncertain times."
The phrase emphasizes the idea that the current era has its own unique traits that distinguish it from other historical periods.