Definition of consign

The word "consign" has a rich history dating back to the 14th century. It comes from the Latin phrase "consignare," which means "to sign over" or "to entrust." In its earliest sense, "consign" referred to the act of assigning or entrusting something to someone's care, often in a official or official capacity. Over time, the meaning expanded to include the idea of sending or handing over goods, documents, or responsibilities to someone else, often in a business or commercial context. Today, "consign" is commonly used in fields such as shipping, storage, and sales, where goods are consigned to the care of a third party for transportation, storage, or sale. In this sense, the word encompasses the original idea of entrusting something to someone else's care, as well as the idea of handing over goods or property for a specific purpose.