assignation

English

Pronunciation

• IPA: /æsɪgˈnejʃən/

Etymology

Old French assignacion

Noun

assignation (plural assignations)

1. An appointment for a meeting, generally of a romantic or sexual nature.
   • Alexander Pope

     While nymphs take treats, or assignations give.

   1749 As soon as Mr. Barville saw me, he got up, with a visible air of pleasure and surprize, and saluting me, asked Mrs. Cole if it was possible that so fine and delicate a creature would voluntarily submit to such sufferings and rigours as were the subject of his assignation. — John Cleland, Memoirs of Fanny Hill.

2. The act of assigning or allotting; apportionment.
   • Holland

     This order being taken in the senate, as touching the appointment and assignation of those provinces.

3. A making over by transfer of title; assignment.

Usage notes

Modern usage confines the word to mean an agreed-upon place for illicit sex, but earlier usage is broader, and considerably more innocent.

Anagrams

• saginations