designatio

Designatio is a Latin noun meaning designation, marking out, or the act of naming or appointing. In English, designation refers to the act of designating someone or something for a particular role, task, or category, as well as to the thing or person thus designated. The term is used in philosophy, linguistics, law, and science with related but distinct senses centered on reference and assignment.

In philosophy and linguistics, designation concerns how words, signs, or descriptions stand for objects, individuals, or concepts. Some traditions distinguish the sign's form from its designatum, the object or entity designated by the sign. In semantics, the designatum is the referent of a term, while the sense or intension concerns its cognitive content.

In legal and administrative contexts, designatio describes the designation or appointment of a person to an office or task, or the labeling of an entity for a particular purpose. In science and taxonomy, designation is used for the formal naming or designation of a taxon, a type specimen, or other scientifically recognized categories or identifiers.

Etymology: designatio comes from Latin designatio, from designare “to designate,” itself related to signum “sign.” Cognates exist in various languages, reflecting its shared Latin origin. In English usage, the Latin noun is mostly confined to specialized or historical contexts, with designation as the common term in ordinary language.