v. & adj.
v.tr. 1 (often foll. by as) appoint to an office or function (designated him as postmaster general; designated his own successor). 2 specify or particularize (receives guests at designated times). 3 (often foll. by as) describe as; entitle, style. 4 serve as the name or distinctive mark of (English uses French words to designate ballet steps).
adj. (placed after noun) appointed to an office but not yet installed (bishop designate). designator n.
[ L designare, past part. designatus (as DE-, signare f. signum mark) ]