/ dɪˈzaɪn; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
ARRANGEMENT
1.
[ U , C ] the general arrangement of the different parts of sth that is made, such as a building, book, machine, etc. :
The basic design of the car is very similar to that of earlier models.
special new design features
The magazine will appear in a new design from next month.
DRAWING / PLAN / MODEL
2.
[ U ] the art or process of deciding how sth will look, work, etc. by drawing plans, making models, etc. :
a course in art and design
a design studio
computer-aided design
the design and development of new products
—see also interior design
3.
[ C ] ~ (for sth) a drawing or plan from which sth may be made :
designs for aircraft
new and original designs
PATTERN
4.
[ C ] an arrangement of lines and shapes as a decoration
SYN pattern :
floral / abstract / geometric designs
The tiles come in a huge range of colours and designs.
INTENTION
5.
[ U , C ] a plan or an intention :
It happened—whether by accident or design —that the two of them were left alone after all the others had gone.
It is all part of his grand design .
•
IDIOMS
- have designs on sb
- have designs on sth
■ verb
DRAW PLANS
1.
design sth (for sb/sth) to decide how sth will look, work, etc., especially by drawing plans or making models :
[ vn ]
to design a car / a dress / an office
a badly designed kitchen
They asked me to design a poster for the campaign.
[also vnn ]
PLAN STH
2.
[ vn ] to think of and plan a system, a way of doing sth, etc. :
We need to design a new syllabus for the third year.
FOR SPECIAL PURPOSE
3.
[ usually passive ] design sth (for sth) | design sth (as sth) to make, plan or intend sth for a particular purpose or use :
[ vn ]
The method is specifically designed for use in small groups.
[ vn to inf ]
The programme is designed to help people who have been out of work for a long time.
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (as a verb in the sense to designate ): from Latin designare to designate, reinforced by French désigner . The noun is via French from Italian .