Definition

1. Noun:
   • A secret meeting, especially between lovers: An assignation is a private, often prearranged, meeting, typically one with a romantic or illicit nature.
   • The act of assigning or allotting: In formal contexts, an assignation can refer to the action of designating, allocating, or transferring something, such as rights or property.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Secret Meeting):

  • Their assignation in the quiet café went unnoticed by everyone.
  • The novel's plot revolves around a series of clandestine assignations.

• Noun (Act of Assigning):

  • The assignation of duties was handled by the project manager. (Formal)
  • The legal document detailed the assignation of the estate to the heirs.

Advanced Usage

• "To have/make an assignation with someone": to arrange or have a secret meeting with someone.
  • He was suspected of making an assignation with the agent from the rival company.

Variants and Related Words

• Assign (verb): To designate, allocate, or transfer.
  • The teacher will assign homework every Friday.
• Assignment (noun): A task or piece of work allocated to someone; or the act of assigning.
  • His first assignment was to write a report.

Synonyms

• Rendezvous: A meeting at an agreed time and place.
• Allotment: The action of allotting or distributing.
• Appointment: An arrangement to meet someone.

Related Phrases

• Secret assignation: Emphasizes the clandestine nature of the meeting.
  • The diary contained details of their secret assignations.

Notes on Meaning

The word assignation has two distinct meanings. The first, concerning a secret romantic meeting, is the more common and evocative usage in everyday language and literature. The second, concerning the formal act of allocation, is more technical and less frequently encountered in general conversation. Context is crucial for understanding which meaning is intended.

Noun

1. the act of distributing by allotting or apportioning; distribution according to a plan
   • the apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives is based on the relative population of each state
2. a secret rendezvous (especially between lovers)