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designate

des·ig·nate [ dézzig nàyt ]

transitive verb (past and past participle des·ig·nat·ed, present participle des·ig·nat·ing, 3rd person present singular des·ig·nates)

Definition:

1. describe somebody or something formally: to give somebody or something a formal description or name ( often passive )

2. choose something for use: to choose something for a particular purpose ( usually passive )

3. name somebody to position: to formally choose somebody for a job, position, or duty

4. mark something: to mark or indicate something

Colored pins on the map designated the new buildings.

adjective

Definition:

chosen for future post: chosen for a particular position, while not yet actually in office

[Late 18th century. < Latin designat-, past participle of designare "mark out" < signum "mark"]

des·ig·na·tive adjective

des·ig·na·tor noun

des·ig·na·to·ry adjective

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