Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
DESIGNATE
I. adjective
Etymology: Latin designatus, past participle of designare
Date: 1629
chosen but not yet installed ,
II. transitive verb (-nated; -nating)
Date: 1639
to indicate and set apart for a specific purpose, office, or duty ,
2. to point out the location of , to distinguish as to class , specify , stipulate , denote , to call by a distinctive title, term, or expression , designative adjective designator noun designatory adjective