v. & n.
v.tr. 1 (usu. foll. by to) a allot as a share or responsibility. b appoint to a position, task, etc. 2 fix (a time, place, etc.) for a specific purpose. 3 (foll. by to) ascribe or refer to (a reason, date, etc.) (assigned the manuscript to 1832). 4 (foll. by to) transfer formally (esp. personal property) to (another).
n. a person to whom property or rights are legally transferred. assignable adj. assigner n. assignor n. (in sense 4 of v.).
[ ME f. OF asi(g)ner f. L assignare mark out to (as AD-, signum sign) ]