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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

3 entries under this word

Design

De-sign', v. t.

verbtransitive

(-sĭn', or -zĭn') (Synop., § 130), v. t. [imp. & p. p. DESIGNED; p. pr. & vb. n. DESIGNING.] [Lat. designare, from de and signare, to mark, mark out, from signum, mark, sign; Fr. désigner, dessiner, Pr. designar, desegnar, It. designare, disegnare, Sp. designar, diseñar, diseñar.]

Sense 1. To draw the preliminary outline or main features of; to sketch for a pattern or model; to delineate; to trace out; to draw.

Thus while they speed their pace, the prince designs The new-elected seat, and draws the lines. Dryden.

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

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

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

Sense 3. To form a plan or scheme of; to contrive; to project; to lay out in the mind; as, a man designs an essay.

Sense 4. To intend or purpose;—sometimes with to, or often with for, before a remoter object; as, we design this ground for a garden.

Synonyms—To sketch; plan; purpose; intend; propose; project; mean.

De-sign', v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. 1. To start or proceed in accordance with a settled plan. [Obs. and rare.]

From this city she designed for Collin [Cologne] conducted by the Earl of Arundel. Evelyn.

Sense 2. To have a purpose; to intend.

De-sign', n.

noun

(-sīn', or -zīn'), n. [Fr. dessein, dessin, It. disegno, Sp. designio, diseño. See supra.]

  1. A preliminary sketch; a representation of the outlines or main features of something to be executed, as of a picture, a building, or a decoration; a delineation; a plan.
  2. A plan or scheme formed in the mind of something to be done; preliminary conception; idea intended to be worked out or expressed; device; scheme; plot. “Withstood the designs of a besotted woman.” Hallam.
  3. Contrivance; working upon a plan; adaptation of means to a preconceived end; as, the evidence of design in a watch.
  4. Object for which one plans; aim; intent; purpose; often in a bad sense; evil intention or purpose; as, he has designs upon his neighbor.

How little he could guess the secret designs of the court! Macaulay.

  1. The realization of an inventive or decorative plan; emblematic or decorative figures, as of a medal, of embroidery, &c.
  2. (Mus.) The invention and conduct of the subject; the disposition of every part, and the general order of the whole.

Arts of design, those into which the designing of artistic forms and figures enters as a principal part, as architecture, painting, engraving, sculpture.—School of design, one in which are taught the invention and delineation of artistic or decorative figures, patterns, and the like. Syn. — DESIGN, INTENTION, PURPOSE. Design has reference to something definitely aimed at. Intention points to the feelings or desires with which a thing is sought. Purpose has reference to a settled choice or determination for its attainment. “I had no design to injure you,” means, it was no part of my aim or object. “I had no intention to injure you,” means, I had no wish or desire of that kind. “My purpose was directly the reverse,” makes the case still stronger. No prudent man lays his designs only for a day, without any prospect to the remaining part of his life. Tillotson. I wish others the same good intention, and greater successes. Temple. Change this purpose, Which, being so horrible, so bloody, must Lead on to some foul issue. Shak.