[Grammar] ... is now the originally American English one of a task a task or piece of work ...

[kadioguy]

[From Fowler's Dictionary of Modern English Usage 4th]

assignment
The main meaning of assignment is now the originally American English one of a task or piece of work allotted to a person. [...]
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I can't parse the red text.

Is it this?

The main meaning of assignment is [now the originally American English one] [of a task or piece of work allotted to a person].

And I don't think that it is this (but maybe I am wrong):

The main meaning of assignment is [now the originally American English] [one of a task or piece of work allotted to a person].

What do you think?

 

[SoothingDave]

The first one. The main meaning is the [originally AmE one].

 

[jutfrank]

The main meaning is the American meaning.

So 'one' means 'meaning' and 'originally American English' modifies 'one'.