consign

[kuhn-sahyn]

verb (used with object)

1. to hand over or deliver formally or officially; commit (often followed byto ).

   Synonyms: assign, relegate

2. to transfer to another's custody or charge; entrust.

   Synonyms: confide

3. to set apart for or devote to (a special purpose or use).

   to consign two afternoons a week to the club.

4. to banish or set apart in one's mind; relegate.

   to consign unpleasant thoughts to oblivion.

5. Commerce.

   1. to ship, as by common carrier, especially for sale or custody.

   2. to address for such shipment.

6. Obsolete.,  to confirm or ratify, as with a seal or other token.

verb (used without object)

1. to agree or assent.

2. Obsolete.,  to yield or submit.

consign

/ kənˈsaɪn /

verb

1. to hand over or give into the care or charge of another; entrust

2. to commit irrevocably

   he consigned the papers to the flames

3. to commit for admittance

   to consign someone to jail

4. to address or deliver (goods) for sale, disposal, etc

   it was consigned to his London address

5. obsolete,  (intr) to assent; agree

Other Word Forms

• consignation noun
• consignable adjective
• preconsign verb (used with object)
• reconsign verb (used with object)
• unconsignable adjective
• unconsigned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of consign¹

1400–50; late Middle English; apparently (< Middle French consigner ) < Medieval Latin consignāre to mark with sign of cross, Latin: to mark with a seal. See con-, sign

Word History and Origins

Origin of consign¹

C15: from Old French consigner, from Latin consignāre to put one's seal to, sign, from signum mark, _sign

Example Sentences

These chilling figures unravel the brutal truths of modern warfare, a sickening continuation of the horrors we dared to believe had been consigned to history’s darkest pages, alongside Auschwitz and Hiroshima.

From Salon

On paper, bringing together two of the world's biggest artists in a joint show - rather than consigning one to a support slot - should be a guaranteed success.

From BBC

Those that couldn’t be sold abroad or hidden within officials’ palatial homes were consigned to the bonfires.

From Salon

The movie is too relevant to be consigned to a time capsule.

From Los Angeles Times

But the rest of us in the travelling press pool were consigned to our small section of the plane.

From BBC

Related Words

• assign 
• relegate 
• turn over