assignation

assignment

noun ah-see-nyah-SYOHN Rare

Also means

legal summons

Usage Note

Assignation has two distinct registers: in law it is the formal summons to appear before a court, and more broadly it means the allocation or assignment of a task or post. The verb is assigner. In everyday French it is most common in legal contexts; for 'homework assignment' learners should use devoir or travail.

Examples

"Il a reçu une assignation à comparaître."

Natural Translation

He received a summons to appear.

Literal Translation

He received an assignment to appear.

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