noun

assignation

as-ig-NAY-shun/ˌæsɪɡˈneɪʃn/

A secret meeting, especially between lovers.

The lovers arranged a secret assignation.

Two lovers meet quietly in a secluded garden at night, glancing around to make sure their private meeting remains secret.

Etymology

asLatinto, toward

+signLatinto mark out, designate

+ationLatinaction or process

From marking out or allotting something, assignation developed the sense of an appointment. This became a meeting by arrangement, especially a lovers’ tryst—the bridge to the secret romantic meeting meant today.

In context

The Frick Collection5:15

An assignation is planned, the young man is climbing the ladder into the garden, the girl is definitely aware that he is coming

Colin B. Bailey presents Fragonard's 'Progress of Love'

Best Documentary6:48

the owner had a comfortable and totally private space. That was very useful for romantic assignations

The gondolas and boats of the Venice canal waterways

More examples

She waited at the inn for their assignation.
A hidden letter revealed the planned assignation.
The novel's plot turned on a midnight assignation.

Forms

assignation · assignations

Similar words

tryst: Tryst is a close synonym for a lovers' arranged meeting; assignation stresses secrecy.
appointment: An appointment can be entirely ordinary; assignation commonly suggests a clandestine romantic meeting.