n. & v.
n. 1 a a preliminary plan or sketch for the making or production of a building, machine, garment, etc. b the art of producing these. 2 a scheme of lines or shapes forming a pattern or decoration. 3 a plan, purpose, or intention. 4 a the general arrangement or layout of a product. b an established version of a product (one of our most popular designs).
v. 1 tr. produce a design for (a building, machine, picture, garment, etc.). 2 tr. intend, plan, or purpose (the remark was designed to offend; a course designed for beginners; designed an attack). 3 absol. be a designer. argument from design Theol. the argument that God's existence is provable by the evidence of design in the universe. by design on purpose. have designs on plan to harm or appropriate.
[ F désigner appoint or obs. F desseing ult. f. L designare DESIGNATE ]