n.
- a plan or drawing produced to show the look and function of something before it is built or made.
▸the art or action of planning the look and function of something.
▸the arrangement of the features of an artefact.
- a decorative pattern.
- the purpose or planning that exists behind an action or object.
v.
decide upon the look and functioning of (something), especially by making a detailed drawing of it.
▸do or plan (something) with a specific purpose in mind.
Phrase
Etymology
ME (as a verb in the sense ‘to designate’): from L. designare, reinforced by Fr. désigner.