design

design Sprachstufe.:lat.-frz.-eng.-hdt. ‘Plan, Absicht, Entwurf, Muster, Anlage, Anordnung’ (älter engl. disseigne, deseigne, 16. Jh.

From Middle English designen, from Old French designer, from Latin designō (“I mark out, point out, describe, design, contrive”), from de- (or dis-) + signō (“I mark”), from signum (“mark”). Doublet of  designate.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /dɪˈzaɪn/
• Hyphenation: de‧sign

Noun

design (countable and uncountable, plural designs)

1. A specification of an object or process, referring to requirements to be satisfied and thus conditions to be met for them to solve a problem.
2. A plan (with more or less detail) for the structure and functions of an artifact, building or system.

   The initial design of the park was rejected for being too expensive.

3. A pattern, as an element of a work of art or architecture.

   We're working on some new designs for our range of summer shirts

4. The composition of a work of art.
5. Intention or plot.

   We have designs on winning the league next season.

   To be hateful of the truth by design.

   1. (particularly) Malicious or malevolent intention.

      To have evil designs.

6. The shape or appearance given to an object, especially one that is intended to make it more attractive.
7. The art of designing

   Danish furniture design is world-famous.

Synonyms

• (plan): See Thesaurus:diagram
• (intention): See Thesaurus:design