to predesignate

8.0

To choose something in advance for a certain use, like seats or funds

verb
/ˌpriːdɪˈzeɪɡnɪt/

: predesignar

Before the event, the organizers will predesignate specific roles for all volunteers.

Examples

We need to predesignate a backup location in case of bad weather during the outdoor concert.
The committee decided to predesignate the funds for community improvement projects next year.
"In a nutshell, the Linux Foundation will obtain a Microsoft key and sign a small pre-bootloader which will, in turn, chain load (without any form of signature check) a predesignated boot loader which will, in turn, boot Linux (or any other operating system)."

Blog text (20)

Synonyms

to preordain

vsto predesignate

8 8.8

To decide or arrange something before it happens, often by fate

chooses or marks items ahead for use rather than by fate

to predestine

vsto predesignate

6 9.2

To decide in advance, often by fate or God's will

sets or assigns things earlier for practical use not by fate

to preassign

vsto predesignate

1 5.8

To give people tasks or seats before they are needed

has identical meaning but is used as an alternative term

to prespecify

vsto predesignate

1 7.8

Decide or say something before an event starts

assigns or labels items in advance rather than specifying details

How Assigned

to appoint

Formal

580 3.2

to predesignate

8.0

to preassign

1 5.8

to earmark

29 6.3

to reserve

145 3.1

Surface Forms

predesignate infinitive

predesignated past

predesignated past participle

predesignating present participle

predesignates third person singular

Morphology

predesignate = designate (transparent) = pre + designate

The prefix 'pre-' adds the clear meaning 'in advance' to 'designate' with no important sense shift.

Etymology

The word predesignate breaks into pre- ('before') and designate ('to choose' or 'mark'), the same root as design. So to predesignate something is to choose or assign it 'before' it is needed.