designate

To designate is defined as to appoint or assign someone to something, or to indicate or signify something.

(verb)

When you appoint someone as head of a project, this is an example of a situation where you designate him as the project leader.
When a sign indicates that you should park in a certain spot, this is an example of a situation where a sign designates a place to park.

See designate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

named for an office, etc. but not yet in it: ambassador designate

Origin: ME < L designatus, pp. of designare: see design

Related Forms:

See designate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb des·ig·nat·ed, des·ig·nat·ing, des·ig·nates

To indicate or specify; point out.
To give a name or title to; characterize.
To select and set aside for a duty, an office, or a purpose. See Synonyms at allocate, appoint.

adjective (-nĭt)

Appointed but not yet installed in office: the commissioner designate.

Origin:

Origin: Latin dēsignāre, dēsignāt-

Origin: : dē-, de-

Origin: + signāre, to mark (from signum, sign; see sek^w-¹ in Indo-European roots)

Related Forms: