I. di-ˈzīn verb
Etymology: Middle English, to outline, indicate, mean, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French designer to designate, from Medieval Latin designare, from Latin, to mark out, from de- + signare to mark — more at sign
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan : devise , contrive
2.
a. : to conceive and plan out in the mind
he design ed the perfect crime
b. : to have as a purpose : intend
she design ed to excel in her studies
c. : to devise for a specific function or end
a book design ed primarily as a college textbook
3. archaic : to indicate with a distinctive mark, sign, or name
4.
a. : to make a drawing, pattern, or sketch of
b. : to draw the plans for
design a building
intransitive verb
1. : to conceive or execute a plan
2. : to draw, lay out, or prepare a design
• de·sign·ed·ly -ˈzī-nəd-lē adverb
II. noun
Date: 1569
1.
a. : a particular purpose held in view by an individual or group
he has ambitious design s for his son
b. : deliberate purposive planning
more by accident than design
2. : a mental project or scheme in which means to an end are laid down
3.
a. : a deliberate undercover project or scheme : plot
b. plural : aggressive or evil intent — used with on or against
he has design s on the money
4. : a preliminary sketch or outline showing the main features of something to be executed
the design for the new stadium
5.
a. : an underlying scheme that governs functioning, developing, or unfolding : pattern , motif
the general design of the epic
b. : a plan or protocol for carrying out or accomplishing something (as a scientific experiment) ; also : the process of preparing this
6. : the arrangement of elements or details in a product or work of art
7. : a decorative pattern
a floral design
8. : the creative art of executing aesthetic or functional designs
Synonyms: see intention , plan