The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Assignat \As`si`gnat"\ (?; 277), n. [F. assignat, fr. L.
   assignatus, p. p. of assignare.]
   One of the notes, bills, or bonds, issued as currency by the
   revolutionary government of France (1790-1796), and based on
   the security of the lands of the church and of nobles which
   had been appropriated by the state.
   [1913 Webster]