Main Entry:

¹de·sign

Pronunciation:

\di-ˈzīn\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English, to outline, indicate, mean, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French designer to designate, from Medieval Latin designare, from Latin, to mark out, from de- + signare to mark — more at sign

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1: to create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan : devise, contrive2 a: to conceive and plan out in the mind <he designed the perfect crime> b: to have as a purpose : intend <she designed to excel in her studies> c: to devise for a specific function or end <a book designed primarily as a college textbook>3archaic : to indicate with a distinctive mark, sign, or name4 a: to make a drawing, pattern, or sketch of b: to draw the plans for <design a building>intransitive verb1: to conceive or execute a plan2: to draw, lay out, or prepare a design

— de·sign·ed·ly \-ˈzī-nəd-lē\ adverb