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Designate vs Appoint - What's the difference?

designate | appoint |

As verbs the difference between designate and appoint

is that designate is to mark out and make known; to point out; to name; to indicate; to show; to distinguish by marks or description; to specify; as, to designate the boundaries of a country; to designate the rioters who are to be arrested while appoint is to fix with power or firmness; to establish; to mark out.

As an adjective designate

is designated; appointed; chosen.

designate

English

Adjective

(-)
  • Designated; appointed; chosen.
  • Verb

    (designat)
  • To mark out and make known; to point out; to name; to indicate; to show; to distinguish by marks or description; to specify; as, to designate the boundaries of a country; to designate the rioters who are to be arrested.
  • To call by a distinctive title; to name.
  • * 1912 , Stratemeyer Syndicate, Baseball Joe on the School Nine Chapter 1
  • "Yes, let 'Sister' Davis have a whack at it too," urged George Bland. Tom Davis, who was Joe Matson's particular chum, was designated "Sister" because, in an incautious moment, when first coming to Excelsior Hall, he had shown a picture of his very pretty sister, Mabel.
  • To indicate or set apart for a purpose or duty; -- with to or for; to designate an officer for or to the command of a post or station.
  • Synonyms

    * name * denominate * style * entitle * characterize * describe * denote

    Derived terms

    * designated driver * designated hitter

    appoint

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To fix with power or firmness; to establish; to mark out.
  • * 1611 , (King James Version) Proverbs 8.29
  • When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
  • To fix the time and place of a meeting (by a decree, order, command etc.)
  • * 8 November 2014 , Ivan Hewett in The Telegraph'', '' Art on demand makes emperors of us all
  • *:We have to wait until they're ready to receive us, and make sure we turn up at the appointed time.
  • * 1820 , The Edinburgh Annual Register
  • *:His Royal Highness called to pay his respects to her Majesty ; but, from the unexpected nature of his visit, her Majesty was not in a state then to receive him ; but soon after sent a letter to Prince Leopold, to appoint one o'clock this day for an interview.
  • * 1611 , (King James Version) 2 Samuel 15.15
  • Thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint .
  • To give a job or a role to somebody
  • * 3 November 2014 , Fredric U. Dicker in the (New York Post), '' Cuomo appointed 'vote or else' strategist
  • *:Neal Kwatra, appointed by Cuomo to be the state Democratic Party's chief campaign strategist, was identified by two key Democratic insiders
  • * 1611 , (King James Version) Numbers 4.19
  • Aaron and his shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service.
  • To furnish completely; to provide with all the equipment necessary; to equip or fit out.
  • * 2009 , Donald Olson, Germany for Dummies
  • *:The hotel is beautifully designed and beautifully appointed in a classic, modern style that manages to be both serene and luxurious at the same time.
  • (archaic, transitive, legal) To direct, designate, or limit; to make or direct a new disposition of, by virtue of a power contained in a conveyance;—said of an estate already conveyed.
  • :(Alexander Mansfield Burrill)
  • To point at by way of censure or commendation; to arraign.
  • * Milton
  • Appoint not heavenly disposition.

    Derived terms

    * appointee * appointer * appointive * appointment * self-appointed