design English · revision 2556

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1398 (Trevisa)|origins=la dēsignāre}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /dɪˈzaɪn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The verb is [[inh|enm|designen]], [[bor|la|dēsignāre|t=to mark out, trace out, denote, devise]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) partly through French [[m|fr|désigner]],^(SOED 2002)^(COED 2004)^(Klein 1966) formed from [[m|la|dē-|t=out]] and [[m|la|signāre|t=to mark]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from [[m|la|signum|t=mark, sign]], the source of [[sign]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The noun is from earlier French [[m|fr|desseing|t=purpose, project, design]], from [[m|fr|desseigner]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(Klein 1966) from Italian [[m|it|disegnare|t=to draw, sketch; to plan]].^(SOED 2002)^(Klein 1966)^(MWU 2024) Etymonline notes that Italian developed both the senses “to contrive, intend” and “to draw”, which French took in different forms and passed on to English, which uses ''design'' for all of them.^(Etymonline) Modern French distinguishes [[m|fr|dessein|t=plan, scheme]] from [[m|fr|dessin|t=drawing]].^(Klein 1966) It is related to [[designate]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To shape or fashion something: before 1398, in Trevisa's translation of Bartholomew,^(Barnhart 1988) or the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The verb meant “to plan or outline, form a scheme” from the 1540s,^(Etymonline) or 1548 in the OED.^(OED 1989) In the 16th and 17th centuries it was also used in the senses now given to ''designate'', “to point out, appoint”.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) “To draw the outline of”, especially of a proposed work, is from the 1630s, and “to plan and execute with artistic skill” from the 1660s.^(Etymonline) The noun meant a plan or scheme in the mind from the 1580s,^(Etymonline) first in Shakespeare's ''Love's Labour's Lost'' in 1588,^(Barnhart 1988) or 1565 according to Merriam-Webster.^(MWU 2024) A purpose or intention is from 1588,^(OED 1989) and ''by design'' from 1628.^(OED 1989) A plan to harm someone, as in ''designs on'', is from 1704.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Hoad dates the sense “plan for a work of art” to the 17th century.^(Hoad 1986) The intransitive sense “to do original work in a graphic art” is by 1854.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1398 – verb, to shape (Trevisa).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1540s – verb, to plan.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1588 – noun, a purpose (Shakespeare).^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1628 – ''by design''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1630s – verb, to draw the outline of.^(Etymonline)

+ * 17th century – a plan for a work of art.^(Hoad 1986)

+ * 1704 – a harmful scheme.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1854 – verb, to work as a designer.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To conceive or plan in the mind; to [[devise]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To draw up plans for something, as a building or garment.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # To create or make for a particular purpose.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # To intend.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A drawing or sketch; a detailed plan for making something.^(AHD)^(Hoad 1986)

+ # The arrangement of parts or details: ''the design of the engine''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # The art of designing.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A decorative pattern.^(AHD)

+ # A purpose or intention; a scheme: ''by design''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[designable]]

+ * [[designedly]]

+ * [[designer]]

+ * [[designment]]

+ * [[designed]]

+ * [[outdesign]]

+ * [[overdesign]]

+ * [[predesign]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[designate]]

+ * [[sign]]

+ * [[signal]]

+ * [[signature]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}