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).
Derivatives:
designator n.
Etymology: L designare, past part. designatus (as DE-, signare f. signum mark)