(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
When someone ~s a garment, building, machine, or other object, they plan it and make a detailed drawing of it from which it can be built or made.
They wanted to ~ a machine that was both attractive and practical.
...men wearing specially ~ed boots.
VERB: V n, V-ed
2.
When someone ~s a survey, policy, or system, they plan and prepare it, and decide on all the details of it.
We may be able to ~ a course to suit your particular needs...
A number of very well ~ed studies have been undertaken.
VERB: V n, V-ed
3.
Design is the process and art of planning and making detailed drawings of something.
He was a born mechanic with a flair for ~...
N-UNCOUNT
4.
The ~ of something is the way in which it has been planned and made.
...a new ~ of clock...
BMW is recalling 8,000 cars because of a ~ fault.
N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp
5.
A ~ is a drawing which someone produces to show how they would like something to be built or made.
They drew up the ~ for the house in a week.
= plan
N-COUNT
6.
A ~ is a pattern of lines, flowers, or shapes which is used to decorate something.
Many pictures have been based on simple geometric ~s.
= motif
N-COUNT
7.
A ~ is a general plan or intention that someone has in their mind when they are doing something.
Is there some ~ in having him in the middle?...
N-COUNT
8.
If something is ~ed for a particular purpose, it is intended for that purpose.
This project is ~ed to help landless people...
It’s not ~ed for anyone under age eighteen.
V-PASSIVE: be V-ed to-inf, be V-ed for n
9.
If something happens or is done by ~, someone does it deliberately, rather than by accident.
The pair met often–at first by chance but later by ~.
= on purpose
PHRASE
10.
If someone has ~s on something, they want it and are planning to get it, often in a dishonest way.
His colonel had ~s on his wife...
PHRASE: V inflects