I. əˈsīn also aˈ- transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English assignen, from Old French assigner, from Latin assignare, adsignare, from ad- + signare to mark, mark out, designate — more at sign
1. : to transfer to another in writing (one's title to or interest in property, especially intangible property)
assign a bond by an endorsement
specifically : to transfer (property) to another in trust or for the benefit of creditors
the bankrupt must also assign all of his patents to the receiver
2.
a. : to appoint (one) to a post or duty
she was assigned to the laboratory and school — Current Biography
though assigned only menial tasks — B.L.Robinson
specifically : to order (an individual or unit) to serve more or less permanently as an organic member of a particular military organization — distinguished from attach
b. : prescribe
carbines are assigned for guard duty
the teacher assigned the next 20 pages of the text
3. : specify , select , designate : fix authoritatively or exactly
assign a limit
assign counsel
assign a day for trial
4.
a. : to give, adduce, or allege by way of explanation or cause especially after deliberation
financial difficulties … were assigned as the probable cause of his suicide — G.S.Bryan
b. : to think of after deliberation as characterizing or being possessed as indicated : allot , endow
by assigning to a nation energy and honesty as its chief spiritual characteristics — Matthew Arnold
c. : to regard as done by or during : reckon as composed, made, or executed as indicated
the temple of Baal Lebanon, which is assigned to the eleventh century B.C. — Edward Clodd
5. archaic : to point out : show
the dwarf the way to her assigned — Edmund Spenser
Synonyms: see allot , ascribe , prescribe
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English assigne, from Middle French assigné — more at assignee
1. : assignee b
2. obsolete : assignee a