verb (used with object)
- to hand over or deliver formally or officially; commit (often followed by to).
- to transfer to another’s custody or charge; entrust.
- to set apart for or devote to (a special purpose or use): to consign two afternoons a week to the club.
- to banish or set apart in one’s mind; relegate: to consign unpleasant thoughts to oblivion.
- Commerce.
- to ship, as by common carrier, especially for sale or custody.
- to address for such shipment.
- Obsolete. to confirm or ratify, as with a seal or other token.
verb (used without object)
- to agree or assent.
- Obsolete. to yield or submit.
verb (mainly tr)
- to hand over or give into the care or charge of another; entrust
- to commit irrevocablyhe consigned the papers to the flames
- to commit for admittanceto consign someone to jail
- to address or deliver (goods) for sale, disposal, etcit was consigned to his London address
- (intr) obsolete to assent; agree
early 15c., “to ratify by a sign or seal,” from Middle French consigner (15c.), from Latin consignare “to seal, register,” originally “to mark with a sign,” from com- “together” (see com-) + signare “to sign, mark,” from signum “sign” (see sign (n.)). Commercial sense is from 1650s. Related: Consignee; consignor.