Assignation

Pronunciation

• IPA: /æsɪgˈnejʃən/

Origin

Old French assignacion

Full definition of assignation

Noun

1. An appointment for a meeting, generally of a romantic or sexual nature.
• Alexander PopeWhile nymphs take treats, or assignations give.
2. 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.''
3. The act of assigning or allotting; apportionment.
• HollandThis order being taken in the senate, as touching the appointment and assignation of those provinces.
4. 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