Assignation

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /æsɪɡˈneɪʃən/

Definitions

1. A designated meeting often held in secret can serve a particular purpose, which may involve an official assignment to a specific role or task
2. An arrangement typically involving confidential discussions may signify a formal appointment to fulfill specific duties, along with the allocation of resources for intended use
3. A private or clandestine gathering held away from public view ; the act of officially appointing someone to a position or duty

Etymology: The sense "secret romantic meeting" is a far cry from the word's core meaning of allotting or appointing something. The root is Latin "assignare", "to mark out for someone" or "to allot", built from "ad-" ("to") and "signare" ("to mark, to seal", from "signum", a sign). Medieval English inherited the word from Old French "assignacion" and used it for a legal or official allocation: a sum of money set aside, a share of property, or a formal appointment of a time or place. The romantic sense is a later drift. Once a meeting was fixed for a particular time and place, the idea of an arranged appointment naturally narrowed to one that was arranged in secret, usually between lovers who could not meet openly. The word kept its formal flavour, which is why it still sounds more sober than "date" or "tryst".

Synonyms: appointment, meeting, engagement, arrangement, date

Antonyms: disarrangement, disorganization, confusion