Redesignate Meaning: Definition and Examples

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redesignate

[ˌriːdɪˈzeɪɡneɪt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

change designation

To redesignate means to assign a new designation or title to something or someone. It often involves altering the status or function of an entity, typically in an official or formal context.

Synonyms

reassign, reclassify, rename.

Examples of usage

  • The committee decided to redesignate the park as a national monument.
  • After the merger, several departments were redesignated to streamline operations.
  • The university plans to redesignate the existing course to reflect the new curriculum.

Interesting Facts

Legal Context

  • In legislative processes, laws can be redesignated to reflect changes in governance or policy.
  • Communities often redesignate areas for zoning purposes, such as changing an industrial zone to a residential zone.
  • Redesignation can be important during periods of social change, such as renaming streets after significant historical figures.

Cultural Relevance

  • In the context of public spaces, redesignation can involve renaming parks to honor local heroes or movements.
  • Companies may redesignate brand names to refresh their public image in response to shifting market trends.
  • Educational institutions sometimes redesignate programs to better align with evolving job markets and student interests.

Technology

  • In software development, features or functions can be redesignated to improve user experience based on feedback.
  • Digital content can be redesignated as new regulations come into play, ensuring compliance with laws like GDPR.
  • Names of files or folders are often redesignated when reorganizing data for better efficiency.

Psychology

  • Redesignating something can help shift perception, making people view it in a new, positive light.
  • In therapy, redesignating negative thoughts towards positive alternatives can aid in cognitive restructuring.
  • The process of redesignation can reinforce new identities, helping individuals adapt to life changes.

Origin of 'redesignate'

Main points about word origin

  • The prefix 're-' means 'again' in Latin, suggesting a repetitive action.
  • The word 'designate' comes from the Latin 'designare', which means to mark out or appoint.
  • The combination of 're-' and 'designate' creates a word that implies changing an existing designation.

The term 'redesignate' is a compound word formed from the prefix 're-' meaning 'again' and the word 'designate' which comes from the Latin 'designare', meaning 'to mark out' or 'to specify'. The prefix 're-' is used to indicate a return to a previous state or an action done again. The verb 'designate' has evolved in English usage since the late 14th century, originally being used in contexts related to appointment or naming. As the need for more flexible organizational structures arose in modern settings, particularly in government and corporate sectors, 'redesignate' became prevalent in the mid-20th century, reflecting changes in how entities are managed and classified.