different between engagement vs assignation

English

Etymology

From French engagement.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n??e?d??.m?nt/
• Hyphenation: en?gage?ment

Noun

engagement (countable and uncountable, plural engagements)

1. (countable) An appointment, especially to speak or perform.

   The lecturer has three speaking engagements this week.

2. (uncountable) Connection or attachment.

   Check the gears for full engagement before turning the handle.

3. (uncountable, by extension, about human emotional state) The feeling of being compelled, drawn in, connected to what is happening, interested in what will happen next.
4. (countable, uncountable) The period of time when marriage is planned or promised.

   We are enjoying a long engagement, but haven't yet set a date.

5. (countable, uncountable) In any situation of conflict, an actual instance of active hostilities.

   The engagement resulted in many casualties.

6. (fencing, countable) The point at which the fencers are close enough to join blades, or to make an effective attack during an encounter.

   After engagement it quickly became clear which of the fencers was going to prevail.

Synonyms

• commitment
• action

Antonyms

• apathy

• disengagement

Derived terms

• engagement ring
• disengagement

Related terms

• engage

Translations

See also

• battle
• campaign

References

French

Etymology

engager +? -ment.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??.?a?.m??/

Noun

engagement m (plural engagements)

1. commitment
2. engagement

Further reading

• “engagement” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Norman

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

engagement m (plural engagements)

1. (Jersey) engagement

English

Etymology

From Middle English assignacioun, from Old French assignacion.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /æs???ne???n/

Noun

assignation (countable and uncountable, plural assignations)

1. An appointment for a meeting, generally of a romantic or sexual nature.
2. The act of assigning or allotting; apportionment.
   • 1600, Philemon Holland, The Romane Historie

     This order being taken in the senate, as touching the appointment and assignation of those provinces.

3. A making over by transfer of title; assignment.

Usage notes

Modern usage confines the word to mean an agreed-upon place for illicit sex, but earlier usage is broader, and considerably more innocent.

Anagrams

• saginations

French

Etymology

From Latin ass?gn?ti?.

Pronunciation

Noun

assignation f (plural assignations)

1. (law) summons, subpoena

Related terms

• assigner

Further reading

• “assignation” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).