Main Entry: ¹as·sign

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈsīn\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French assigner, from Latin assignare, from ad- + signare to mark, from signum mark, sign

Date: 13th century

1 : to transfer (property) to another especially in trust or for the benefit of creditors
2 a : to appoint to a post or duty <assigned them to light duty> <assigned me two clerks> b : to appoint as a duty or task <assigns 20 pages for homework>
3 : to fix or specify in correspondence or relationship <assign counsel to the defendant> <assign a value to the variable>
4 a : to ascribe as a motive, reason, or cause especially after deliberation b : to consider to belong to (a specified period of time)

synonyms see ascribe

— as·sign·abil·i·ty \-ˌsī-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— as·sign·able \-ˈsī-nə-bəl\ adjective

— as·sign·er \ə-ˈsī-nər\ or as·sign·or \ˌa-sə-ˈnȯr, ˌa-ˌsī-, ə-ˌsī-\ noun