Pronunciation: [kənsˈa͡ɪnz] (IPA) 
The word "consigns" is spelled with the letter 'g' after the letter 'n' to indicate a soft 'g' sound. The phonetic transcription for 'consigns' using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is /kənˈsaɪnz/ or kuhn-sahynz. The 'g' is silent and only serves to alter the sound of the 'n' to create the 'ny' sound. Consigns means to give over to someone else's care, to deliver or to transfer something to someone or something else.
The term "consigns" is a transitive verb that primarily refers to the act of entrusting or delivering goods or items to someone or a specific location for safekeeping or further action. When someone consigns something, they transfer ownership or responsibility of the item to another party. This transfer may take place for various reasons, such as sale, distribution, storage, or transportation.
Often used in the context of commerce, the act of consigning typically involves a consignee who takes possession of the goods or items. The consignor, who is the original owner, may expect certain terms or conditions to be met before the consignee can take any further action, especially in the case of sales consignment. This ensures that the welfare and legal aspects of the goods/items are appropriately handled.
Consignment is a commonly used business practice, especially in industries such as retail. For instance, a boutique could consign their products to a local department store, allowing the latter to sell the goods on a commission basis. This arrangement benefits both parties, as the consignor gains exposure and a potential market for their products, while the consignee expands their inventory.
In summary, "consigns" involves transferring ownership or responsibility of goods or items to another party, often through an agreement. The term is primarily associated with commerce and involves the delivery of items for safekeeping, future action, or sale.
The word "consigns" can be traced back to the Latin word "consignare", which is a combination of the prefix "con-" meaning "together" or "with", and the verb "signare" meaning "to mark" or "to seal". In Latin, "consignare" referred to the act of sealing or marking something with a sign or seal. Over time, the term evolved and acquired various meanings related to the act of entrusting or delivering something to someone for safekeeping or transportation, which is the primary connotation of "consigns" in English today.
