[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

design \design"\, n. cf. dessein, dessin.
   1. a preliminary sketch; an outline or pattern of the main
      features of something to be executed, as of a picture, a
      building, or a decoration; a delineation; a plan.
      1913 webster

   2. a plan or scheme formed in the mind of something to be
      done; preliminary conception; idea intended to be
      expressed in a visible form or carried into action;
      intention; purpose; -- often used in a bad sense for evil
      intention or purpose; scheme; plot.
      1913 webster

            the vast design and purpos? of the king. --tennyson.
      1913 webster

            the leaders of that assembly who withstood the
            designs of a besotted woman.          --hallam.
      1913 webster

            a . . . settled design upon another man's life.
                                                  --locke.
      1913 webster

            how little he could guess the secret designs of the
            court                                --macaulay.
      1913 webster

   3. specifically, intention or purpose as revealed or inferred
      from the adaptation of means to an end; as, the argument
      from design.
      1913 webster

   4. the realization of an inventive or decorative plan; esp.,
      a work of decorative art considered as a new creation;
      conception or plan shown in completed work; as, this
      carved panel is a fine design, or of a fine design.
      1913 webster

   5. mus. the invention and conduct of the subject; the
      disposition of every part, and the general order of the
      whole.
      1913 webster

   arts of design, those into which the designing of artistic
      forms and figures enters as a principal part, as
      architecture, painting, engraving, sculpture.

   school of design, one in which are taught the invention and
      delineation of artistic or decorative figures, patterns,
      and the like.

   syn: intention; purpose; scheme; project; plan; idea.

   usage: design, intention, purpose. design has reference
          to something definitely aimed at. intention points to
          the feelings or desires with which a thing is sought.
          purpose has reference to a settled choice or
          determination for its attainment. "i had no design to
          injure you," means it was no part of my aim or object.
          "i had no intention to injure you," means, i had no
          wish or desire of that kind. "my purpose was directly
          the reverse," makes the case still stronger.
          1913 webster

                is he a prudent man . . . that lays designs only
                for a day, without any prospect to the remaining
                part of his life?                 --tillotson.
          1913 webster

                i wish others the same intention, and greater
                successes.                        --sir w.
                                                  temple.
          1913 webster

                it is the purpose that makes strong the vow.
                                                  --shak.
          1913 webster
see also:
arts of design school of design design intention purpose 

Arts >> A Words
Arts, definition of term: Arts
arts_pag1.html

Design >> D Words
Design, definition of term: Design
design_pag1.html

Graphic Arts >> G Words
Graphic Arts, definition of term: Graphic Arts
graphic+arts_pag1.html

Fine Arts >> F Words
Fine Arts, definition of term: Fine Arts
fine+arts_pag1.html

Beaux Arts >> B Words
Beaux Arts, definition of term: Beaux Arts
beaux+arts_pag1.html