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désigner

to designate, to appoint

verb deh-zee-NYEH Rare
Communication Speech

Origin: Latin designare 'to mark out'

Also means

to refer to, to denote

Usage Note

Désigner means to name someone for a role (désigner un représentant) or for a word/symbol to refer to something (ce mot désigne…). It is more formal than choisir. The noun désignation and adjective désigné ('designated', as in bouc émissaire désigné = 'designated scapegoat') are common derivatives.

Examples

"On l'a désigné comme porte-parole."

Natural Translation

He was appointed as spokesperson.

Literal Translation

One designated him as spokesperson.

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