n. [ Cf. dessein, dessin. ] 1. A preliminary sketch; an outline or pattern of the main features of something to be executed, as of a picture, a building, or a decoration; a delineation; a plan. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A plan or scheme formed in the mind of something to be done; preliminary conception; idea intended to be expressed in a visible form or carried into action; intention; purpose; -- often used in a bad sense for evil intention or purpose; scheme; plot. [ 1913 Webster ]

The vast design and purpos&unr_; of the King. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

The leaders of that assembly who withstood the designs of a besotted woman. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

A . . . settled design upon another man's life. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

How little he could guess the secret designs of the court! Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Specifically, intention or purpose as revealed or inferred from the adaptation of means to an end; as, the argument from design. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The realization of an inventive or decorative plan; esp., a work of decorative art considered as a new creation; conception or plan shown in completed work; as, this carved panel is a fine design, or of a fine design. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Mus.) The invention and conduct of the subject; the disposition of every part, and the general order of the whole. [ 1913 Webster ]

Arts of design, those into which the designing of artistic forms and figures enters as a principal part, as architecture, painting, engraving, sculpture. --
School of design, one in which are taught the invention and delineation of artistic or decorative figures, patterns, and the like.

Syn. -- Intention; purpose; scheme; project; plan; idea. -- Design, Intention, Purpose. Design has reference to something definitely aimed at. Intention points to the feelings or desires with which a thing is sought. Purpose has reference to a settled choice or determination for its attainment. “I had no design to injure you, ” means it was no part of my aim or object. “I had no intention to injure you, ” means, I had no wish or desire of that kind. “My purpose was directly the reverse, ” makes the case still stronger. [ 1913 Webster ]

Is he a prudent man . . . that lays designs only for a day, without any prospect to the remaining part of his life? Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

I wish others the same intention, and greater successes. Sir W. Temple. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is the purpose that makes strong the vow. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To form a design or designs; to plan. [ 1913 Webster ]

Design for, to intend to go to. [ Obs. ] “From this city she designed for Collin [ Cologne ].” Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Designed p. pr. & vb. n. Designing. ] [ F. désigner to designate, cf. F. dessiner to draw, dessin drawing, dessein a plan or scheme; all, ultimately, from L. designare to designate; de- + signare to mark, mark out, signum mark, sign. See Sign, and cf. Design, n., Designate. ] 1. To draw preliminary outline or main features of; to sketch for a pattern or model; to delineate; to trace out; to draw. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To mark out and exhibit; to designate; to indicate; to show; to point out; to appoint. [ 1913 Webster ]

We shall see
Justice design the victor's chivalry. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Meet me to-morrow where the master
And this fraternity shall design. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To create or produce, as a work of art; to form a plan or scheme of; to form in idea; to invent; to project; to lay out in the mind; as, a man designs an essay, a poem, a statue, or a cathedral. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To intend or purpose; -- usually with for before the remote object, but sometimes with to. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ask of politicians the end for which laws were originally designed. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

He was designed to the study of the law. Dryden.

Syn. -- To sketch; plan; purpose; intend; propose; project; mean. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being designated or distinctly marked out; distinguishable. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Designated; p. pr. & vb. n. Designating. ] 1. To mark out and make known; to point out; to name; to indicate; to show; to distinguish by marks or description; to specify; as, to designate the boundaries of a country; to designate the rioters who are to be arrested. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To call by a distinctive title; to name. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To indicate or set apart for a purpose or duty; -- with to or for; as, to designate an officer for or to the command of a post or station.

Syn. -- To name; denominate; style; entitle; characterize; describe. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. designatus, p. p. of designare. See Design, v. t. ] Designated; appointed; chosen. [ R. ] Sir G. Buck. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. designatio: cf. F. désignation. ] 1. The act of designating; a pointing out or showing; indication. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Selection and appointment for a purpose; allotment; direction. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which designates; a distinguishing mark or name; distinctive title; appellation. [ 1913 Webster ]

The usual designation of the days of the week. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Use or application; import; intention; signification, as of a word or phrase. [ 1913 Webster ]

Finite and infinite seem . . . to be attributed primarily, in their first designation, only to those things which have parts. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. désignatif. ] Serving to designate or indicate; pointing out. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) An officer who assigned to each his rank and place in public shows and ceremonies. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who designates. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Serving to designate; designative; indicating. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]