design-v; 3 Senses

Sense Number 1: create or invent, often via models or sketches

Examples:
Who designed these beautiful couture evening gowns?
Their firm designs custom chips for graphics applications.
A well-known architect actually designed the addition to their house.
Our form of government is designed around three main branches of power.

Mappings:
VerbNet: create-26.4-1
FrameNet: Invention
PropBank: design.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3, 4, 5

Sense Number 2: concoct or scheme, contrive a plan

Commentary: Syntax Is: NP1[agent[human]] DESIGN NP2[patient[abstract]]

Examples:
He'd better design some excuse for why he is late again!
They fear insurgents are designing an overthrow of the king.
The child designed a way to sneak through the milk chute and get cookies from the neighbor's apartment.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: design.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 6

Sense Number 3: intend or have a purpose

Commentary: Syntax Is: NP1[agent[human]] DESIGN NP2[goal]
NOTE: often occurs in the passive with an implied subject.

Examples:
Mary's sister designs to go far in her field of research.
John designs to say that...
She designs to go down to the village.

Mappings:
VerbNet: create-26.4-1
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: design.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2, 7