A name that references a subobject (part of an object). A designator is the name of the object followed by a selector that selects the subobject. For example, B(3) is a designator for an array element. Also called a subobject designator. See also selector and subobject.
an object that denotes another object. In the dictionary entry for an operator if a parameter is described as a designator for a type, the description of the operator is written in a way that assumes that appropriate coercion to that type has already occurred; that is, that the parameter is already of the denoted type. For more detailed information, see Section 1.4.1.5 Designators.