appoint

[uh-point] /əˈpɔɪnt/
verb (used with object)
1.
to name or assign to a position, an office, or the like; designate:
to appoint a new treasurer; to appoint a judge to the bench.
2.
to determine by authority or agreement; fix; set:
to appoint a time for the meeting.
3.
Law. to designate (a person) to take the benefit of an estate created by a deed or will.
4.
to provide with what is necessary; equip; furnish:
They appointed the house with all the latest devices.
5.
Archaic. to order or establish by decree or command; ordain; constitute:
laws appointed by God.
6.
Obsolete. to point at by way of censure.
verb (used without object)
7.
Obsolete. to ordain; resolve; determine.
Origin
1325-75; Middle English apointen < Middle French apointer, equivalent to a- a-5 + pointer to point
Related forms
appointable, adjective
appointer, noun
misappoint, verb (used with object)
reappoint, verb (used with object)
unappointable, adjective
Synonyms
1. choose, select. 2. prescribe, establish.
Antonyms
1. dismiss, discharge.
Examples from the web for appoint
  • He would be directly elected for five years and could appoint or dismiss the prime minister.
  • And you will never guess who gets to appoint three members of this commission including its chairman.
  • appoint a governing body that will determine what needs to be done and get the repairs done.
  • The bank declined to comment on the reason for the executives' departure and said it would appoint new management soon.
  • The presidency is the highest executive office, with direct legislative powers and authority to appoint the cabinet.
  • We resent these hypocrites because they appoint themselves to tell the rest of us what to do.
  • Look for him to appoint a deputy national security advisor to coordinate the work.
  • He asked the judge to appoint two overworked public defenders instead, identifying them by name.
  • Perry and state lawmakers are negotiating a plan to appoint a new board.
  • The council has the authority to appoint and dismiss ministers.
British Dictionary definitions for appoint

appoint

/əˈpɔɪnt/
verb (mainly transitive)
1.
(also intransitive) to assign officially, as for a position, responsibility, etc: he was appointed manager
2.
to establish by agreement or decree; fix: a time was appointed for the duel
3.
to prescribe or ordain: laws appointed by tribunal
4.
(property law) to nominate (a person), under a power granted in a deed or will, to take an interest in property
5.
to equip with necessary or usual features; furnish: a well-appointed hotel
Derived Forms
appointer, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Old French apointer to put into a good state, from a point in good condition, literally: to a point
Word Origin and History for appoint
v.

late 14c., "to decide, resolve; to arrange the time of (a meeting, etc.)," from Anglo-French appointer, Old French apointier "make ready, arrange, settle, place" (12c.), from apointer "duly, fitly," from phrase à point "to the point," from a- "to" (see ad-) + point "point," from Latin punctum (see point (n.)). The ground sense is "to come to a point (about some matter)," therefore "agree, settle." Meaning "put (someone) in charge" is early 15c. Related: Appointed; appointing.