English

Etymology

Old English appointen , apointen , Old French apointier to prepare, arrange, lean, place, French appointer to give a salary, refer a cause, from LL. appunctare to bring back to the point, restore, to fix the point in a controversy, or the points in an agreement; Latin ad + punctum a point. See Point.

Pronunciation

IPA: WEAE /ʌˈpɔɪnt/

Transitive Verb

1. To fix with power or firmness; to establish; to mark out.

   When he appointed the foundations of the earth. --Prov. viii. 29.

2. To fix by a decree, order, command, resolve, decision, or mutual agreement; to constitute; to ordain; to prescribe; to fix the time and place of.

   Thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. --2 Sam. xv. 15.

   He hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness. --Acts xvii. 31.

   Say that the emperor request a parley . . . and appoint the meeting. --Shak.

3. To assign, designate, or set apart by authority.

   Aaron and his shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service. --Num. iv. 19.

   These were cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them. --Josh. xx. 9.

4. To furnish in all points; to provide with everything necessary by way of equipment; to equip; to fit out.

   The English, being well appointed, did so entertain them that their ships departed terribly torn. --Hayward.

5. (Law) To direct, designate, or limit; to make or direct a new disposition of, by virtue of a power contained in a conveyance;—said of an estate already conveyed. --Burrill. Kent.