assignat

[as-ig-nat; French a-see-nya]

noun, plural as·sig·nats

[as-ig-nats; French a-see-nya] /ˈæs ɪgˌnæts; French a siˈnya/. French History.

one of the notes issued as paper currency from 1789 to 1796 by the revolutionary government on the security of confiscated lands.

Origin of assignat

1780–90; < French < Latin assignātus assigned (past participle of assignāre). See assign, -ate¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for assignat

Historical Examples of assignat

In June, 1795, the quotation of the assignat oscillated violently.
The Paper Moneys of Europe
Francis W. Hirst
I looked up, and there, straight before me, saw the same officer who had given me the assignat the night before.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Volume 1, No. 3, August, 1850.
Various
I looked up, and, straight before me, saw the same officer who had given me the assignat the night before.
Maurice Tiernay Soldier of Fortune
Charles James Lever
At these words he held up triumphantly the French assignat, and waved it before the eyes of the court.
Tom Burke Of "Ours", Volume II (of II)
Charles James Lever
The paper was a French assignat, bearing the words, 'Payez au porteur la somme de deux mille livres.'
Tom Burke Of "Ours", Volume II (of II)
Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for assignat

assignat

noun

French history the paper money issued by the Constituent Assembly in 1789, backed by the confiscated land of the Church and the émigrés

Word Origin for assignat

C18: from French, from Latin assignātum something appointed; see assign

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012