con·sign / kənˈsīn/ • v. [tr.] deliver (something) to a person's custody, typically in order for it to be sold: he consigned three paintings to Sotheby's. ∎  send (goods) by a public carrier. ∎  (consign someone/something to) assign; commit decisively or permanently: she consigned the letter to the wastebasket.DERIVATIVES: con·sign·ee / ˌkänsəˈnē; ˌkänˌsīˈnē; kənˌsīˈnē/ n.con·sign·or / kənˈsīnər/ n.ORIGIN: late Middle English (in the sense ‘mark with the sign of the cross,’ esp. at baptism or confirmation, as a sign of dedication to God): from French consigner or Latin consignare ‘mark with a seal.’

consign †attest, confirm XV; †mark with the cross; hand or make over XVI. — F. consigner — L. consignāre attest with a seal. f. CON- (intensive) + signāre SIGN.