Assignation – Definition & Meaning

Assignation is a term that is often used in legal and business contexts. It refers to the act of assigning or transferring something, such as a contract, a lease, or a right, from one party to another. The term can also refer to a meeting or appointment that is arranged in secret, often for romantic or illicit purposes. In this article, we will explore the different definitions and meanings of assignation, as well as its origins, associations, synonyms, and antonyms.

Definitions

Assignation can have a few different definitions, depending on the context in which it is used. In a legal or business context, assignation refers to the transfer of a right, interest, or property from one party to another. For example, if a company sells its assets to another company, it is said to have assigned those assets to the buyer. Similarly, if a landlord transfers the lease of a property to a new tenant, it is said to have assigned the lease to the tenant.
In a more romantic context, assignation can refer to a secret or illicit meeting between two people. This usage of the term is less common than the legal or business usage, but it is still occasionally used in literature and poetry.

Origin

The word assignation comes from the Latin word assignatio, which means “an assignment or allotment.” The word was first used in English in the 15th century, and it has been used in legal and business contexts ever since. The romantic usage of the term is a more recent development, dating back to the 18th century.

Meaning in different dictionaries

The meaning of assignation is fairly consistent across different dictionaries. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “the act of assigning or the state of being assigned,” while the Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “an appointment or meeting arranged in secret, typically between lovers.” Other dictionaries, such as the Cambridge Dictionary and the Collins Dictionary, offer similar definitions.

Associations

Assignation is often associated with secrecy, intrigue, and romance. In literature and film, assignations are often depicted as illicit or scandalous, with characters sneaking around to meet each other in secret locations. In a legal or business context, assignations are more mundane, but they still carry connotations of transfer and change.

Synonyms

Some synonyms for assignation include appointment, meeting, rendezvous, transfer, and allotment. In a legal or business context, some other synonyms might include conveyance, assignment, or transfer of ownership.

Antonyms

Some antonyms for assignation might include cancellation, termination, or revocation. In a legal or business context, an antonym for assignation might be retention, meaning the act of keeping something rather than transferring it.

The same root words

Assignation shares its root word with other words like assign, assignment, and assignee. These words all relate to the act of transferring or allocating something from one party to another.

Example Sentences

  • The assignation of the lease to the new tenant was completed last week.
  • The company’s assets were assigned to the buyer in the sale agreement.
  • The two lovers arranged a secret assignation in the park.
  • The assignee of the contract will be responsible for fulfilling its terms.
  • The assignation of the project to the new team was met with some resistance from the old team members.
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