designés

Designés is the past participle form of the French verb désigner and is used as an adjective or in compound tenses to mean designated, named, or appointed. In masculine plural it is désignés; in feminine plural désignées; in masculine singular désigné; in feminine singular désignée. The term commonly appears in official or administrative contexts to describe people or things that have been named for a particular role or function, such as designated beneficiaries, designated routes, or designated representatives.

Etymology and related forms. Désigner comes from the Latin designare, through Old French désigner. The word shares roots with the English designate and the noun designation. The related noun designation refers to the act of naming or appointing someone or something for a specific purpose.

Usage and examples. Désignés is used to indicate items that have been formally chosen or specified. For example: “Les candidats désignés par le conseil seront invités à une séance d’orientation,” or “les lieux désignés sur la carte doivent être respectés.” The form changes with gender and number to align with the noun it modifies: désigné/désignés, désignée/désignées.

Orthography. The standard French spelling requires accented e vowels: désigné, désignés, désignée, désignées. A spelling such as "designés" without the initial acute accent on the first e is considered a misspelling in formal writing.

See also. Désignation, désigner, désigné, désignation juridique.