Design \De*sign"\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Designed; p. pr. & vb. n. Designing.]

[F. d['e]signer 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.

2. To mark out and exhibit; to designate; to indicate; to show; to point out; to appoint.

We shall see Justice design the victor's chivalry. --Shak.

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

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.

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

Ask of politicians the end for which laws were originally designed. --Burke.

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

Syn: To sketch; plan; purpose; intend; propose; project; mean.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)