Definition of assign

The word "assign" has its roots in Old French, where it was spelled "assignier" and meant "to put in order" or "to arrange". This Old French word is derived from the Latin phrase "assignare", which was used to describe the act of assigning or appointing something or someone. In Latin, "assignare" is derived from the words "ad" meaning "to" and "signare" meaning "to sign" or "to mark". The verb "assign" first appeared in English in the 14th century, and initially retained its meaning of placing or distinguishing something in a particular place or category. Over time, the meaning of the verb expanded to include the sense of giving or allocating something to someone or something else. Today, the word "assign" is commonly used in a variety of contexts, such as assigning tasks or responsibilities, or assigning a value to something.