assignations
|as-sig-na-tion|
/ˌæsɪɡˈneɪʃənz/
(assignation)
private appointment / allocation
Etymology
'assignation' originates from Latin, specifically from Medieval Latin 'assignatio' (from the verb 'assignare'), where 'ad-' (later assimilated to 'as-') meant 'to, toward' and 'signare' meant 'to mark, sign'.
'assignation' passed into Old/Middle French as 'assignacion' and Middle English as 'assignacioun' or 'assignation', eventually becoming the modern English 'assignation'.
Initially, it referred to an act of assigning or a designated thing (an allocation or transfer); over time a secondary sense of a set appointment developed and eventually the word came to be chiefly used for a (often secret) meeting or rendezvous.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an appointment or meeting, especially a secret or illicit rendezvous (often between lovers).
Their assignations at the old inn were the subject of gossip.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the act of assigning or the thing assigned; an allocation or transfer (archaic/legal use).
The assignations of property were recorded in the deed.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/03 09:08