Consigns

/kənˈsaɪnz/ verb

Definition

Gives or delivers goods to someone else for safekeeping or to be sold, or forces someone into an unwanted situation.

Etymology

From Latin consignare 'to seal, mark together.' Originally meant to seal documents; evolved to mean handing over goods with official transfer of responsibility.

Kelly Says

The same word works for both 'consigning art to a gallery' and 'consigning someone to poverty'—because both involve putting something beyond the original owner's control into someone or something else's hands.

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