COMECome, v. t.
Defn: To carry through; to succeed in; as, you can't come any tricks here. [Slang] To come it, to succeed in a trick of any sort. [Slang]
COMECome, n.
Defn: Coming. Chaucer.
COME-ALONGCome"-a*long`, n.
Defn: A gripping device, as for stretching wire, etc., consisting of two jaws so attached to a ring that they are closed by pulling on the ring.
CO-MEDDLECo-med"dle, v. t.
Defn: To mix; to mingle, to temper. [Obs.] Shak.
COMEDIANCo*me"di*an, n. Etym: [Cf. F. comédien.]
1. An actor or player in comedy. "The famous comedian, Roscius." Middleton.
2. A writer of comedy. Milton.
COMEDIENNECo*mé`di*enne", n. Etym: [F., fem. of com.]
Defn: A women who plays in comedy.
COMEDIETTACo*me`di*et"ta, n. Etym: [It.]
Defn: A dramatic sketch; a brief comedy.
COMEDOCom"e*do, n.; pl. Comedones. Etym: [L., a glutton. See Comestible.](Med.)
Defn: A small nodule or cystic tumor, common on the nose, etc., which on pressure allows the escape of a yellow wormlike mass of retained oily secretion, with a black head (dirt).
COMEDOWNCome"down`, n.
Defn: A downfall; an humillation. [Colloq.]
COMEDY Com"e*dy, n.; pl. Comedies. Etym: [F. comédie, L. comoedia, fr. Gr. home) + Home, and Ode.]
Defn: A dramatic composition, or representation of a bright and amusing character, based upon the foibles of individuals, the manners of society, or the ludicrous events or accidents of life; a play in which mirth predominates and the termination of the plot is happy; — opposed to tragedy. With all the vivacity if comedy. Macaulay. Are come to play a pleasant comedy. Shak.
COMELILYCome"li*ly, adv.
Defn: In a suitable or becoming manner. [R.] Sherwood.
COMELINESSCome"li*ness, n. Etym: [See Comely.]
Defn: The quality or state of being comely.Comeliness is a disposing fair Of things and actions in fit time andplace. Sir J. Davies.Strength, comeliness of shape, or amplest merit. Milton.Comeliness signifies something less forcible than beauty, lesselegant than grace, and less light than prettiness. Johnson.
COMELY Come"ly, a. [Compar. Comelier; superl. Comeliest.] Etym: [OE. comeliche, AS. cymlic; cyme suitable (fr. cuman to come, become) + lic like.]
1. Pleasing or agreeable to the sight; well-proportioned; good- looking; handsome. He that is comely when old and decrepit, surely was very beautiful when he was young. South. Not once perceive their foul disfigurement But boast themselves more comely than before. Milton.
2. Suitable or becoming; proper; agreeable. This is a happier and more comely time Than when these fellows ran about the streets, Crying confusion. Shak. It is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. Ps. cxlvii. 1.
COMELYCome"ly, adv.
Defn: In a becoming manner. Ascham.
COME-OUTERCome-out"er, n.
Defn: One who comes out or withdraws from a religious or other organization; a radical reformer. [Colloq. U. S.]
COMERCom"er, n.
Defn: One who comes, or who has come; one who has arrived, and is present. All comers, all who come, or offer, to take part in a matter, especially in a contest or controversy. "To prove it against all comers." Bp. Stillingfleet.
COMESCo"mes, n. Etym: [L., a companion.] (Mus.)
Defn: The answer to the theme (dux) in a fugue.
COMESSATIONCom`es*sa"tion, n. Etym: [L. comissatio, comessatio.]
Defn: A reveling; a rioting. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
COMESTIBLE Co*mes"ti*ble, a. Etym: [F. comestible, fr. L. comesus, comestus, p. p. pf comedere to eat; com- + edere to eat.]
Defn: Suitable to be eaten; eatable; esculent.Some herbs are most comestible. Sir T. Elyot.
COMESTIBLECo*mes"ti*ble, n.
Defn: Something suitable to be eaten; — commonly in the plural.Thackeray.
COMETCom"et, n. Etym: [L. cometes, cometa, from Gr. coma: cf. F. comète.](Astron.)
Defn: A member of the solar system which usually moves in an elongated orbit, approaching very near to the sun in its perihelion, and receding to a very great distance from it at its aphelion. A comet commonly consists of three parts: the nucleus, the envelope, or coma, and the tail; but one or more of these parts is frequently wanting. See Illustration in Appendix.
COMETARIUMCom`e*ta"ri*um, n. Etym: [NL.] (Astron.)
Defn: An instrument, intended to represent the revolution of a comet round the sun. Hutton.
COMETARYCom"et*a*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. F. cométaire.]
Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, a comet. Cheyne.
COMET-FINDER; COMET-SEEKERCom"et-find`er, or Com"et-seek`er, n. (Astron.)
Defn: A telescope of low power, having a large field of view, used for finding comets.
COMETHER Co*meth"er, n. [Prob. dial. pron. of come hither, used in calling cows, etc.] [Dial. or Colloq., Brit.]
1.
Defn: Matter; affair.
2. Friendly communication or association.
To put the, or one's, comether on, to exercise persuasion upon; to get under one's influence; to beguile; to wheedle.
How does ut come about, sorr, that whin a man has put the comether on wan woman he's sure bound to put ut on another Kipling.
COMETICCo*met"ic, a.
Defn: Relating to a comet.
COMETOGRAPHERCom`et*og"ra*pher, n.
Defn: One who describes or writes about comets.
COMETOGRAPHYCom`et*og"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Comet + -graphy: cf. F. cométographie.]
Defn: A description of, or a treatise concerning, comets.
COMETOLOGYCom`et*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Comet + -logy.]
Defn: The department of astronomy relating to comets.
COMFIT Com"fit, n. Etym: [F. confit, prop. a p. p., fr. confire to preserve, pickle, fr. L. conficere to prepare; con- + facere to make. See Fact, and cf. Confect.]
Defn: A dry sweetmeat; any kind of fruit, root, or seed preserved with sugar and dried; a confection.
COMFITCom"fit, v. t.
Defn: To preserve dry with sugar. The fruit which does so quickly waste, . . . Thou comfitest in sweets to make it last. Cowley.
COMFITURE Com"fi*ture, n. Etym: [F. confiture; cf. LL. confecturae sweetmeats, confectura a preparing. See Comfit, and cf. Confiture.]
Defn: See Comfit, n.
COMFORTCom"fort, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Comforted; p. pr. & vb. n. Comforting.]Etym: [F. conforter, fr. L. confortare to strengthen much; con- +fortis strong. See Fort.]
1. To make strong; to invigorate; to fortify; to corroborate. [Obs.] Wyclif. God's own testimony . . . doth not a little comfort and confirm the same. Hooker.
2. To assist or help; to aid. [Obs.] I . . . can not help the noble chevalier: God comfort him in this necessity! Shak.
3. To impart strength and hope to; to encourage; to relieve; toconsole; to cheer,Light excelleth in comforting the spirits of men. Bacon.That we may be adle to comfort them that are in any affliction. 2Cor. i. 4. (Rev. Ver. ).A perfect woman, nobly planned, To warn, to comfort, and command.Wordsworth.
Syn. — To cheer; solace; console; revive; encourage; enliven; invigorate; inspirit, gladden; recreate; exhilarate; refresh; animate; confirm; strengthen. — To Comfort, Console, Solace. These verbs all suppose some antecedent state of suffering or sorrow. Console in confined to the act giving sympathetic relief to the mind under affliction or sorrow, and points to some definite source of that relief; as, the presence of his friend consoled him; he was much consoled by this intelligence. The act of consoling commonly implies the inculcation of resignation. Comfort points to relief afforded by the communication of positive pleasure, hope, and strength, as well as by the diminution of pain; as, "They brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted." Acts xx. 12.
Note: Solace is from L. solacium, which means according to Dumesnil, consolation inwardly felt or applied to the case of the sufferer. Hence, the verb to solace denotes the using of things for the purpose of affording relief under sorrow or suffering; as, to solace one's self with reflections, with books, or with active employments.
COMFORTCom"fort, n. Etym: [OF. confort, fr. conforter.]
1. Assistance; relief; support. [Obs. except in the phrase "aid and comfort." See 5 below.] Shak.
2. Encouragement; solace; consolation in trouble; also, that whichaffords consolation.In comfort of her mother's fears. Shak.Cheer thy spirit with this comfort. Shak.Speaking words of endearment where words of comfort availed not.Longfellow.
3. A state of quiet enjoyment; freedom from pain, want, or anxiety; also, whatever contributes to such a condition. I had much joy and comfort in thy love. Phil. 7 (Rev. Ver. ). He had the means of living in comfort. Macaulay.
4. A wadded bedquilt; a comfortable. [U. S.]
5. (Law)
Defn: Unlawful support, countenance, or encouragement; as, to give aid and comfort to the enemy.
Syn.— Comfort, Consolation. Comfort has two meanings:
1. Strength and relief received under affliction;
2. Positive enjoyment, of a quiet, permanent nature, together with the sources thereof; as, the comfort of love; surrounded with comforts; but it is with the former only that the word consolation is brought into comparison. As thus compared, consolation points to some specific source of relief for the afflicted mind; as, the consolations of religion. Comfort supposes the relief to be afforded by imparting positive enjoyment, as well as a diminution of pain. "Consolation, or comfort, signifies some alleviation to that pain to which it is not in our power to afford the proper and adequate remedy; they imply rather an augmentation of the power of bearing, than a diminution of the burden." Johnson.
COMFORTABLECom"fort*a*ble, a. Etym: [OF. confortable.]
1. Strong; vigorous; valiant. [Obs.] Wyclif. Thy conceit is nearer death than thy powers. For my sake be comfortable; hold death a while at the arm's end. Shak.
2. Serviceable; helpful. [Obs.] Be comfortable to my mother, your mistress, and make much of her. Shak.
3. Affording or imparting comfort or consolation; able to comfort; cheering; as, a comfortable hope. "Kind words and comfortable." Cowper. A comfortable provision made for their subsistence. Dryden.
4. In a condition of comfort; having comforts; not suffering or anxious; hence, contented; cheerful; as, to lead a comfortable life. My lord leans wondrously to discontent; His comfortable temper has forsook him: He is much out of health. Shak.
5. Free, or comparatively free, from pain or distress; — used of a sick person. [U. S.]
COMFORTABLECom"fort*a*ble, n.
Defn: A stuffed or quilted coverlet for a bed; a comforter; a comfort. [U. S.]
COMFORTABLENESSCom"fort*a*ble*ness, n.
Defn: State of being comfortable or comforting manner.Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem. Is. xl. 2.
COMFORTABLYCom"fort*a*bly, adv.
Defn: In a comfortable or comforting manner.
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem.Is. xl. 2.
COMFORTERCom"fort*er, n.
1. One who administers comfort or consolation. Let no comforter delight mine ear But such a one whose wrongs do suit with mine. Shak.
2. (Script.)
Defn: The Holy Spirit, — reffering to his office of comfortingbelievers.But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will sendin my name, he shall teach you all things. John xiv. 26.
3. A knit woolen tippet, long and narrow. [U. S.] The American schoolboy takes off his comforter and unbuttons his jacket before going in for a snowball fight. Pop. Sci. Monthly.
4. A wadded bedquilt; a comfortable. [U. S.] Job's comforter, a boil. [Colloq.]
COMFORTLESSCom"fort*less, a.
Defn: Without comfort or comforts; in want or distress; cheerless.Comfortless through turanny or might. Spenser.
Syn.— Forlorn; desolate; cheerless; inconsolable; disconsolate;wretched; miserable.— Com"fort*less*ly, adv.— Com"fort*less*ness, n.When all is coldly, comfortlessly costly. Milton.
COMFORTMENTCom"fort*ment, n.
Defn: Act or process of administering comfort. [Obs.]The gentle comfortment and entertainment of the said embassador.Hakluyt.
COMFORTRESSCom"fort*ress, n.
Defn: A woman who comforts.To be your comfortress, and to preserve you. B. Jonson.
COMFREY Com"frey, n. Etym: [Prob. from F. conferve, L. conferva, fr. confervere to boil together, in medical language, to heal, grow together. So called on account of its healing power, for which reason it was also called consolida.] (Bot.)
Defn: A rough, hairy, perennial plant of several species, of the genus Symphytum.
Note: A decoction of the mucilaginous root of the "common comfrey" (S. officinale) is used in cough mixtures, etc.; and the gigantic "prickly comfrey" (S. asperrimum) is somewhat cultivated as a forage plant.
COMICCom"ic, a. Etym: [L. comicus pertaining to comedy, Gr. comique. SeeComedy.]
1. Relating to comedy, as distinct from tragedy. I can not for the stage a drama lay, Tragic or comic, but thou writ'st the play. B. Jonson.
2. Causing mirth; ludicrous. "Comic shows." Shak.
COMICCom"ic, n.
Defn: A comedian. [Obs.] Steele.
COMICALCom"ic*al, a.
1. Relating to comedy. They deny it to be tragical because its catastrphe is a wedding, which hath ever been accounted comical. Gay.
2. Exciting mirth; droll; laughable; as, a comical story. "Comical adventures." Dryden.
Syn.— Humorous; laughable; funny. See Droll.— Com"ic*al*ly, adv.— Com"ic*al"ness, n.
COMICALITYCom`i*cal"i*ty, n.; pl. Comicalities.
Defn: The quality of being comical; something comical.
COMICRYCom"ic*ry, n.
Defn: The power of exciting mirth; comicalness. [R.] H. Giles.
COMINGCom"ing, a.
1. Approaching; of the future, especially the near future; the next; as, the coming week or year; the coming exhibition. Welcome the coming, speed the parting, guest. Pope. Your coming days and years. Byron.
2. Ready to come; complaisant; fond. [Obs.] Pope.
COMINGCom"ing, n.
1. Approach; advent; manifestation; as, the coming of the train.
2. Specifically: The Second Advent of Christ. Coming in. (a) Entrance; entrance way; manner of entering; beginning. "The goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof." Ezek. xliii. 11 (b) Income or revenue. "What are thy comings in" Shak.
COMITIACo*mi"ti*a, n., pl. Etym: [L.] (Rom. Antiq.)
Defn: A public assembly of the Roman people for electing officers or passing laws.
Note: There were three kinds of comitia: comitia curiata, or assembly of the patricians, who voted in curiæ; comitia centuriata, or assembly of the whole Roman people, who voted by centuries; and comitia tributa, or assembly of the plebeians according to their division into tribes.
COMITIALCo*mi"tial, a. Etym: [L. comitialis.]
Defn: Relating to the comitia, or popular assembles of the Romans for electing officers and passing laws. Middleton.
COMITIVACo`mi*ti"va, n. [It.]
Defn: A body of followers; — applied to the lawless or brigand bands in Italy and Sicily.
COMITY Com"i*ty, n.; pl. Comities. Etym: [L. comitas, fr. comis courteous, kind.]
Defn: Mildness and suavity of manners; courtesy between equals; friendly equals; friendly civility; as, comity of manners; the comity of States. Comity of nations (International Law), the courtesy by which nations recognize within their own territory, or in their courts, the peculiar institutions of another nation or the rights and privileges acquired by its citizens in their own land. By some authorities private international law rests on this comity, but the better opinion is that it is part of the common law of the land, and hence is obligatory as law.
Syn.— Civility; good breeding; courtesy; good will.
COMMACom"ma, n. Etym: [L. comma part of a sentence, comma, Gr. Capon.]
1. A character or point [,] marking the smallest divisions of a sentence, written or printed.
2. (Mus.)
Defn: A small interval (the difference beyween a major and minor half step), seldom used except by tuners. Comma bacillus (Physiol.), a variety of bacillus shaped like a comma, found in the intestines of patients suffering from cholera. It is considered by some as having a special relation to the disease; — called also cholera bacillus. — Comma butterfly (Zoöl.), an American butterfly (Grapta comma), having a white comma-shaped marking on the under side of the wings.
COMMANDCom*mand" (; 61), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Commanded; p. pr. & vb. n.Commanding.] Etym: [OE. comaunden, commanden, OF. comander, F.commander, fr. L. com- + mandare to commit to, to command. Cf.Commend, Mandate.]
1. To order with authority; to lay injunction upon; to direct; to bid; to charge. We are commanded to forgive our enemies, but you never read that we are commanded to forgive our friends. Bacon. Go to your mistress: Say, I command her come to me. Shak.
2. To exercise direct authority over; to have control of; to have atone's disposal; to lead.Monmouth commanded the English auxiliaries. Macaulay.Such aid as I can spare you shall command. Shak.
3. To have within a sphere of control, influence, access, or vision; to dominate by position; to guard; to overlook. Bridges commanded by a fortified house. Motley. Up to the eastern tower, Whose height commands as subject all the vale. Shak. One side commands a view of the finest garden. Addison.
4. To have power or influence of the nature of authority over; to obtain as if by ordering; to reeceive as a due; to challenge; to claim; as, justice commands the respect and affections of the people; the best goods command the best price. 'Tis not in mortals to command success. Addison.
5. To direct to come; to bestow. [Obs.] I will command my blessing upon you. Lev. xxv. 21.
Syn.— To bid; order; direct; dictate; charge; govern; rule; overlook.
COMMANDCom*mand", v. i.
1. To have or to exercise direct authority; to govern; to sway; to influence; to give an order or orders. And reigned, commanding in his monarchy. Shak. For the king had so commanded concerning [Haman]. Esth. iii. 2.
2. To have a view, as from a superior position. Far and wide his eye commands. Milton.
COMMANDCom*mand", n.
1. An authoritative order requiring obedience; a mandate; an injunction. A waiting what command their mighty chief Had to impose. Milton.
2. The possession or exercise of authority. Command and force may often create, but can never cure, an aversion. Locke.
3. Authority; power or right of control; leadership; as, the forces under his command.
4. Power to dominate, command, or overlook by means of position; scope of vision; survey. Te steepy stand Which overlooks the vale with wide command. Dryden.
5. Control; power over something; sway; influence; as, to have command over one's temper or voice; the fort has command of the bridge. He assumed an absolute command over his readers. Druden.
6. A body of troops, or any naval or military force or post, or the whole territory under the authority or control of a particular officer.
Word of command (Mil.), a word or phrase of definite and established meaning, used in directing the movements of soldiers; as, aim; fire; shoulder arms, etc.
Syn. — Control; sway; power; authority; rule; dominion; sovereignty; mandate; order; injunction; charge; behest. See Direction.
COMMANDABLECom*mand"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being commanded.
COMMANDANTCom`man*dant", n. Etym: [F., orig. p. pr. of commander.]
Defn: A commander; the commanding officer of a place, or of a body of men; as, the commandant of a navy-yard.
COMMANDATORYCom*mand"a*to*ry, a.
Defn: Mandatory; as, commandatory authority. [Obs.]
COMMANDEERCom`man*deer", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Commandeered; p. pr. & vb. n.Commandeering.] [D. kommandeeren to command, in South Africa tocommandeer, fr. F. commander to command. See Command.]
1. (Mil.)
Defn: To compel to perform military service; to seize for military purposes; — orig. used of the Boers.
2. To take arbitrary or forcible possession of. [Colloq.]
COMMANDERCom*mand"er, n. Etym: [Cf. F. commandeur. Cf. Commodore, Commender.]
1. A chief; one who has supreme authority; a leader; the chief officer of an army, or of any division of it. A leader and commander to the people. Is. lv. 4.
2. (Navy)
Defn: An officer who ranks next below a captain, — ranking with a lieutenant colonel in the army.
3. The chief officer of a commandery.
4. A heavy beetle or wooden mallet, used in paving, in sail lofts, etc. Commander in chief, the military title of the officer who has supreme command of the land or naval forces or the united forces of a nation or state; a generalissimo. The President is commander in chief of the army and navy of the United States.
Syn.— See Chief.
COMMANDERSHIPCom*mand"er*ship, n.
Defn: The office of a commander.
COMMANDERYCom*mand"er*y, n.; pl. Commanderies. Etym: [F. commanderie.]
1. The office or rank of a commander. [Obs.]
2. A district or a manor with lands and tenements appertaining thereto, under the control of a member of an order of knights who was called a commander; — called also a preceptory.
3. An assembly or lodge of Knights Templars (so called) among the Freemasons. [U. S.]
4. A district under the administration of a military commander or governor. [R.] Brougham.
COMMANDINGCom*mand"ing, a.
1. Exercising authority; actually in command; as, a commanding officer.
2. Fitted to impress or control; as, a commanding look or presence.
3. Exalted; overlooking; having superior strategic advantages; as, a commanding position.
Syn.— Authoritative; imperative; imperious.
COMMANDINGLYCom*mand"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: In a commanding manner.
COMMANDMENTCom*mand"ment, n. Etym: [OF. commandement, F. commandement.]
1. An order or injunction given by authority; a command; a charge; a precept; a mandate. A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another. John xiii. 34.
2. (Script.)
Defn: One of the ten laws or precepts given by God to the Israelites at Mount Sinai.
3. The act of commanding; exercise of authority. And therefore put I on the countenance Of stern commandment. Shak.
4. (Law)
Defn: The offense of commanding or inducing another to violate the law. The Commandments, The Ten Commandments, the Decalogue, or summary of God's commands, given to Moses at Mount Sinai. (Ex. xx.)
COMMANDOCom*man"do, n. [D. See Command, v. t.]
Defn: In South Africa, a military body or command; also, sometimes, an expedition or raid; as, a commando of a hundred Boers.
The war bands, called commandos, have played a great part in the . . . military history of the country. James Bryce.
COMMANDRESSCom*mand"ress, n.
Defn: A woman invested with authority to command. Hooker.
COMMANDRYCom*mand"ry, n.
Defn: See Commandery.
COMMARK Com"mark`, n. Etym: [Of. comarque, or LL. commarca, commarcha; com- + marcha, boundary. See March a confine.]
Defn: The frontier of a country; confines. [Obs.] Shelton.
COMMATERIALCom`ma*te"ri*al, a.
Defn: Consisting of the same material. [Obs.] Bacon.
COMMATICCom*mat"ic, a. Etym: [L. commaticus, Gr. Comma.]
Defn: Having short clauses or sentences; brief; concise.
COMMATISMCom"ma*tism, n. Etym: [See Commatic.]
Defn: Conciseness in writing. Bp. Horsley.
COMMEASURABLECom*meas"ur*a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. Commensurable.]
Defn: Having the same measure; commensurate; proportional. She being now removed by death, a commeasurable grief took as full possession of him as joy had one. I. Walton.
COMMEASURECom*meas"ure, v. t.
Defn: To be commensurate with; to equal. Tennyson.
COMMEMORABLECom*mem"o*ra"ble, a. Etym: [L. commemorabilis.]
Defn: Worthy to be commemorated.
COMMEMORATECom*mem"o*rate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Commemorated; p. pr. & vb. n.Commemorating.] Etym: [L. commemoratus, p. p. of commemorare toremember; com- + memorare to mention, fr. memor mindful. See Memory.]
Defn: To call to remembrance by a special act or observance; to celebrate with honor and solemnity; to honor, as a person or event, by some act of respect of affection, intended to preserve the remembrance of the person or event; as, to commemorate the sufferings and dying love of our Savior by the sacrament of the Lord's Supper; to commemorate the Declaration of Independence by the observance of the Fourth of July. We are called upon to commemorate a revolution. Atterbury.
Syn.— See Celebrate.
COMMEMORATIONCom*mem`o*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. commemoratio.]
1. The act of commemorating; an observance or celebration designed to honor the memory of some person or event. This sacrament was designed to be a standing commemoration of the death and passion of our Lord. Abp. Tillotson. The commonwealth which . . . chooses the most flagrant act of murderous regicide treason for a feast of eternal commemoration. Burke.
2. Whatever serves the purpose of commemorating; a memorial. Commemoration day, at the University of Oxford, Eng., an annual observance or ceremony in honor of the benefactors of the University, at which time honorary degrees are conferred.
COMMEMORATIVECom*mem"o*ra*tive, a.
Defn: Tending or intended to commemorate. "A sacrifice commemorative of Christ's offering up his body for us." Hammond. An inscription commemorative of his victory. Sir G. C. Lewis.
COMMEMORATORCom*mem"o*ra`tor, n. Etym: [L.]
Defn: One who commemorates.
COMMEMORATORYCom*mem"o*ra*to*ry, a.
Defn: Serving to commemorate; commomerative. Bp. Hooper.
COMMENCECom*mence", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Commenced; p. pr. & vb. n.Commencing.] Etym: [F. commencer, OF. commencier, fr. L. com- +initiare to begin. See Initiate.]
1. To have a beginning or origin; to originate; to start; to begin. Here the anthem doth commence. Shak. His heaven commences ere the world be past. Goldsmith.
2. To begin to be, or to act as. [Archaic] We commence judges ourselves. Coleridge.
3. To take a degree at a university. [Eng.] I question whether the formality of commencing was used in that age. Fuller.
COMMENCECom*mence", v. t.
Defn: To enter upon; to begin; to perform the first act of.Many a wooer doth commence his suit. Shak.
Note: It is the practice of good writers to use the verbal noun (instead of the infinitive with to) after commence; as, he commenced studying, not he commenced to study.
COMMENCEMENTCom*mence"ment, n. Etym: [F. comencement.]
1. The first existence of anything; act or fact of commencing; rise; origin; beginnig; start. The time of Henry VII . . . nearly coincides with the commencement of what is termed "modern history."
2. The day when degrees are conferred by colleges and universities upon students and others.
COMMENDCom*mend", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Commended; p. pr. & vb. n.Commending.] Etym: [L. commendare; com- + mandare to intrust to one'scharge, enjoin, command. Cf. Command, Mandate.]
1. To commit, intrust, or give in charge for care or preservation. His eye commends the leading to his hand. Shak. Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. Luke xxiii. 46.
2. To recommend as worthy of confidence or regard; to present as worthy of notice or favorable attention. Among the objects of knowlwdge, two especially commend themselves to our contemplation. Sir M. Hale. I commend unto you Phebe our sister. Rom. xvi. 1.
3. To mention with approbation; to praise; as, to commend a person oran act.Historians commend Alexander for weeping when he read the actions ofAchilles. Dryden.
4. To mention by way of courtesy, implying remembrance and good will. [Archaic] Commend me to my brother. Shak.
COMMENDCom*mend", n.
1. Commendation; praise. [Obs.] Speak in his just commend. Shak.
2. pl.
Defn: Compliments; greetings. [Obs.]Hearty commends and much endeared love to you. Howell.
COMMENDABLECom*mend"a*ble, a.
Note: (Formerly accented on the first syllable.) Etym: [L. commendabilis.]
Defn: Worthy of being commended or praised; laudable; praiseworthy.Order and decent ceremonies in the church are not only comely butcommendable. Bacon.— Com*mend"a*ble*ness, n.— Com*mend"a*bly, adv.
COMMENDAMCom*men"dam, n. Etym: [LL. dare in commendam to give into trust.](Eng. Eccl. Law)
Defn: A vacant living or benefice commended to a cleric (usually a bishop) who enjoyed the revenue until a pastor was provided. A living so held was said to be held in commendam. The practice was abolished by law in 1836. There was [formerly] some sense for commendams. Selden. Partnership in commendam. See under Partnership.
COMMENDATARY Com*mend"a*ta*ry, n. Etym: [Cf. F. commendataire, LL. commendatarius.]
Defn: One who holds a living in commendam.
COMMENDATIONCom`men*da"tion, n. Etym: [L. commendatio.]
1. The act of commending; praise; favorable representation in words;recommendation.Need we . . . epistles of commendatiom 2 Cor. iii. 1.By the commendation of the great officers. Bacon.
2. That which is the ground of approbation or praise. Good nature is the most godlike commendation of a man. Dryden.
3. pl.
Defn: A message of affection or respect; compliments; greeting.[Obs.]Hark you, Margaret; No princely commendations to my king Shak.
COMMENDATORCom*mend"a*tor ( or ), n. Etym: [LL.]
Defn: One who holds a benefice in commendam; a commendatary.Chalmers.
COMMENDATORYCom*mend"a*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. commendatorius.]
1. Serving to commend; containing praise or commendation; commending; praising. "Commendatory verses." Pope.
2. Holding a benefice in commendam; as, a commendatory bishop. Burke. Commendatory prayer (Book of Common Prayer), a prayer read over the dying. "The commendatory prayer was said for him, and, as it ended, he [William III.] died." Bp. Burnet.
COMMENDATORYCom*mend"a*to*ry, n.
Defn: A commendation; eulogy. [R.] "Commendatories to our affection."Sharp.
COMMENDERCom*mend"er, n.
Defn: One who commends or praises.
COMMENSAL Com*men"sal, n. Etym: [LL. commensalis; L. com- + mensa table: cf. F. commensal. Cf. Mensal.]
1. One who eats at the same table. [Obs.]
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An animal, not truly parasitic, which lives in with, or on, another, partaking usually of the same food. Both species may be benefited by the association.
COMMENSALCom*men"sal, a.
Defn: Having the character of a commensal.
COMMENSALISMCom*men"sal*ism, n.
Defn: The act of eating together; table fellowship.
COMMENSALITYCom`men*sal"i*ty, n.
Defn: Fellowship at table; the act or practice of eating at the same table. [Obs.] "Promiscuous commensality." Sir T. Browne.
COMMENSATIONCom`men*sa"tion, n.
Defn: Commensality. [Obs.]Daniel . . . declined pagan commensation. Sir T. Browne.
COMMENSURABILITYCom*men`su*ra*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. commensurabilite.]
Defn: The quality of being commersurable. Sir T. Browne.
COMMENSURABLE Com*men"su*ra*ble, a. Etym: [L. commensurabilis; pref. com- + mensurable. See Commensurate, and cf. Commeasurable.]
Defn: Having a common measure; capable of being exactly measured by the same number, quantity, or measure. — Com*men"su*ra*ble*ness, n. Commensurable numbers or quantities (Math.), those that can be exactly expressed by some common unit; thus a foot and yard are commensurable, since both can be expressed in terms of an inch, one being 12 inches, the other 36 inches. — Numbers, or Quantities, commensurable in power, those whose squares are commensurable.
COMMENSURABLYCom*men"su*ra*bly, adv.
Defn: In a commensurable manner; so as to be commensurable.
COMMENSURATECom*men"su*rate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Commensurated; p. pr. & vb. n.Commensurating.] Etym: [Pref. com- + mensurate.]
1. To reduce to a common measure. Sir T. Browne.
2. To proportionate; to adjust. T. Puller
COMMENSURATECom*men"su*rate, a.
1. Having a common measure; commensurable; reducible to a common measure; as, commensurate quantities.
2. Equal in measure or extent; proportionate. Those who are persuaded that they shall continue forever, can not choose but aspire after a hapiness commensurate to their duration. Tillotson.
COMMENSURATELYCom*men"su*rate*ly, adv.
1. In a commensurate manner; so as to be equal or proportionate; adequately.
2. With equal measure or extent. Goodwin.
COMMENSURATENESSCom*men"su*rate*ness, n.
Defn: The state or quality of being commensurate. Foster.
COMMENSURATIONCom*men`su*ra"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. commensuration.]
Defn: The act of commensurating; the state of being commensurate. All fitness lies in a particular commensuration, or proportion of one thing to another. South.
COMMENT Com"ment, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Commented; p. pr. & vb. n. Commenting.] Etym: [F. commenter, L. commentary to meditate upon, explain, v. intens, of comminisci, commentus, to reflect upon, invent; com- + the root of meminisse to remember, mens mind. See Mind.]
Defn: To make remarks, observations, or criticism; especially, to write notes on the works of an author, with a view to illustrate his meaning, or to explain particular passages; to write annotations; — often followed by on or upon. A physician to comment on your malady. Shak. Critics . . . proceed to comment on him. Dryden. I must translate and comment. Pope.
COMMENTCom"ment, v. t.
Defn: To comment on. [Archaic.] Fuller.
COMMENTCom"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. comment.]
1. A remark, observation, or criticism; gossip; discourse; talk. Their lavish comment when her name was named. Tennyson.
2. A note or observation intended to explain, illustrate, or criticise the meaning of a writing, book, etc.; explanation; annotation; exposition. All the volumes of philosophy, With all their comments. Prior.
COMMENTARY Com"men*ta*ry, n.; pl. Commentaries. Etym: [L. commentarius, commentarium, note book, commentary: cf. F. commentaire. See Comment, v. i.]
1. A series of comments or annotations; esp., a book of explanations or expositions on the whole or a part of the Scriptures or of some other work. This letter . . . was published by him with a severe commentary. Hallam.
2. A brief account of transactions or events written hastily, as if for a memorandum; — usually in the plural; as, Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War.
COMMENTATE Com"men*tate, v. t. & i. Etym: [L. commentatus, p. p. of commentari to meditate.]
Defn: To write comments or notes upon; to make comments. [R.]Commentate upon it, and return it enriched. Lamb.
COMMENTATIONCom`men*ta"tion, n.
1. The act or process of commenting or criticising; exposition. [R.] The spirit of commentation. Whewell.
2. The result of the labors of a commentator.
COMMENTATORCom"men*ta`tor, n. Etym: [L. commentator: cf. F. commentateur.]
Defn: One who writes a commentary or comments; an expositor; anannotator.The commentator's professed object is to explain, to enforce, toillustrate doctrines claimed as true. Whewell.
COMMENTATORIALCom`men*ta*to"ri*al ( or , a.
Defn: Pertaining to the making of commentaries. Whewell.
COMMENTATORSHIPCom"men*ta`tor*ship, n.
Defn: The office or occupation of a commentator.
COMMENTERCom"ment`er, n.
Defn: One who makes or writes comments; a commentator; an annotator.
COMMENTITIOUSCom`men*ti"tious, a. Etym: [L. commentitius.]
Defn: Fictitious or imaginary; unreal; as, a commentitious system of religion. [Obs.] Warburton.
COMMERCECom"merce, n.
Note: (Formerly accented on the second syllable.) Etym: [F. commerce,L. commercium; com- + merx, mercis, merchadise. See Merchant.]
1. The exchange or buying and selling of commodities; esp. the exchange of merchandise, on a large scale, between different places or communities; extended trade or traffic. The public becomes powerful in proportion to the opulence and extensive commerce of private men. Hume.
2. Social intercourse; the dealings of one person or class in society with another; familiarity. Fifteen years of thought, observation, and commerce with the world had made him [Bunyan] wiser. Macaulay.
3. Sexual intercourse. W. Montagu.
4. A round game at cards, in which the cards are subject to exchange, barter, or trade. Hoyle. Chamber of commerce. See Chamber.
Syn. — Trade; traffic; dealings; intercourse; interchange; communion; communication.
COMMERCECom*merce" ( or , v. i. [imp. & p. p. Commerced; p. pr. & vb. n.Commercing.] Etym: [Cf. F. commercer, fr. LL. commerciare.]
1. To carry on trade; to traffic. [Obs.] Beware you commerce not with bankrupts. B. Jonson.
2. To hold intercourse; to commune. Milton. Commercing with himself. Tennyson. Musicians . . . taught the people in angelic harmonies to commerce with heaven. Prof. Wilson.
COMMERCE DESTROYERCom"merce de*stroy"er. (Nav.)
Defn: A very fast, unarmored, lightly armed vessel designed to capture or destroy merchant vessels of an enemy. Not being intended to fight, they may be improvised from fast passenger steamers.
COMMERCIALCom*mer"cial, a. Etym: [Cf. F. commercial.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to commerce; carrying on or occupied with commerce or trade; mercantile; as, commercial advantages; commercial relations. "Princely commercial houses." Macaulay. Commercial college, a school for giving instruction in commercial knowledge and business. — Commercial law. See under Law. — Commercial note paper, a small size of writing paper, usually about 5 by 7½ or 8 inches. — Commercial paper, negotiable paper given in due course of business. It includes bills of exchange, promissory notes, bank cheks, etc. — Commercial traveler, an agent of a wholesale house who travels from town to town to solicit orders.
Syn.— See Mercantile.
COMMERCIALISMCom*mer"cial*ism, n.
Defn: The commercial spirit or method. C. Kingsley.
COMMERCIALLYCom*mer"cial*ly, adv.
Defn: In a commercial manner.
COMMIGRATECom"mi*grate, v. i. Etym: [L. commigrare, commigratum.]
Defn: To migrate together. [R.]
COMMIGRATIONCom`mi*gra"tion, n. Etym: [L. commigratio.]
Defn: Migration together. [R.] Woodward.
COMMINATION Com`mi*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. comminatio, from comminary to threaten; com- + minari to threaten: cf. F. commination.]
1. A threat or threatening; a denunciation of punishment or vengeance. With terrible comminations to all them that did resist. I. Taylor.
2. An office in the liturgy of the Church of England, used on Ash Wednesday, containing a recital of God's anger and judgments against sinners.
COMMINATORYCom*min"a*to"ry, a. Etym: [Cf. F. comminatoire.]
Defn: Threatening or denouncing punishment; as, comminatory terms. B.Jonson.
COMMINGLECom*min"gle, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Commingled; p. pr. & vb. n.Commingling.]
Defn: To mingle together; to mix in one mass, or intimately; to blend. Bacon.
COMMINGLERCom*min"gler, n.
Defn: One that commingles; specif., a device for noiseless heating of water by steam, in a vessel filled with a porous mass, as of pebbles.
COMMINUTECom"mi*nute, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Comminuted; p. pr. & vb. n.Comminuting.] Etym: [L. comminutus, p. p. of comminuere to comminute;com- + minuere to lessen. See Minute.]
Defn: To reduce to minute particles, or to a fine powder; to pulverize; to triturate; to grind; as, to comminute chalk or bones; to comminute food with the teeth. Pennant. Comminuted fracture. See under Fracture.
COMMINUTIONCom`mi*nu"tion, n.
1. The act of reducing to a fine powder or to small particles; pulverization; the state of being comminuted. Bentley.
2. (Surg.)
Defn: Fracture (of a bone) into a number of pieces. Dunglison.
3. Gradual diminution by the removal of small particles at a time; a lessening; a wearing away. Natural and necessary comminution of our lives. Johnson.
COMMISERABLECom*mis"er*a*ble, a.
Defn: Pitiable. [Obs.] Bacon.
COMMISERATECom*mis"er*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Commiserated; p. pr. & vb. n.Commiserating.] Etym: [L. commiseratus, p. p. of commiserari tocommiserate; com- + miserari to pity. See Miserable.]
Defn: To feel sorrow, pain, or regret for; to pity.Then must we those, who groan, beneath the weight Of age, disease, orwant, commiserate. Denham.We should commiserate our mutual ignorance. Locke.
Syn.— To pity; compassionate; lament; condole.
COMMISERATION Com*mis`er*a"tion, n. Etym: [F. commis, fr. L. commiseratio a part of an oration intended to exite compassion.]
Defn: The act of commiserating; sorrow for the wants, afflictions, or distresses of another; pity; compassion. And pluck commiseration of his state From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint. Shak.
Syn.— See Sympathy.
COMMISERATIVECom*mis"er*a*tive, a.
Defn: Feeling or expressing commiseration. Todd.
COMMISERATORCom*mis"er*a`tor, n.
Defn: One who pities.
COMMISSARIALCom`mis*sa"ri*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a commissary.
COMMISSARIAT Com`mis*sa"ri*at, n. Etym: [F. commissariat.] (Mil.) (a) The organized system by which armies and military posts are supplied with food and daily necessaries. (b) The body of officers charged with such service.
COMMISSARY Com"mis*sa*ry, n.; pl. Commissaries. Etym: [LL. commissarius, fr. L. commissus, p. p. of committere to commit, intrust to. See Commit.]
1. One to whom is committed some charge, duty, or office, by a superior power; a commissioner. Great Destiny, the Commissary of God. Donne.
2. (Eccl.)
Defn: An officer on the bishop, who exercises ecclesiastical jurisdiction in parts of the diocese at a distance from the residence of the bishop. Ayliffe.
3. (Mil.) (a) An officer having charge of a special sevice; as, the commissary of musters. (b) An officer whose business is to provide food for a body of troops or a military post; — officially called commissary of subsistence. [U. S.] Washington wrote to the President of Congress . . . urging the appointment of a commissary general, a quartermaster general, a commissary of musters, and a commissary of artillery. W. Irving Commissary general, an officer in charge of some special department of army service; as: (a) The officer in charge of the commissariat and transport department, or of the ordinace store department. [Eng.] (b) The commissary general of subsistence. [U. S.] — Commissary general of subsistence (Mil. U. S.), the head of the subsistence department, who has charge of the purchase and issue of provisions for the army.
COMMISSARYSHIPCom"mis*sa*ry*ship, n.
Defn: The office or employment of a commissary. Ayliffe.
COMMISSIONCom*mis"sion, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. commissio. See Commit.]
1. The act of committing, doing, or performing; the act of perpetrating. Every commission of sin introduces into the soul a certain degree of hardness. South.
2. The act of intrusting; a charge; instructions as to how a trust shall be executed.
3. The duty or employment intrusted to any person or persons; a trust; a charge.
4. A formal written warrant or authority, granting certain powers or privileges and authorizing or commanding the performance of certain duties. Let him see our commission. Shak.
5. A certificate conferring military or naval rank and authority; as, a colonel's commission.
6. A company of persons joined in the performance of some duty or the execution of some trust; as, the interstate commerce commission. A commission was at once appointed to examine into the matter. Prescott.
7. (Com.) (a) The acting under authority of, or on account of, another. (b) The thing to be done as agent for another; as, I have three commissions for the city. (c) The brokerage or allowance made to a factor or agent for transacting business for another; as, a commission of ten per cent on sales. See Del credere. Commission of array. (Eng. Hist.) See under Array. — Commission of bankrupty, a commission apointing and empowering certain persons to examine into the facts relative to an alleged bankrupty, and to secure the bankrupt's lands and effects for the creditors. — Commission of lunacy, a commission authoring and inquiry whether a person is a lunatic or not. — Commission merchant, one who buys or sells goods on commission, as the agent of others, receiving a rate per cent as his compensation. — Commission, or Commissioned, officer (Mil.), one who has a commission, in distingtion from a noncommossioned or warrant officer. — Commission of the peace, a commission under the great seal, constituting one or more persons justices of the peace. [Eng.] — To put a vessel into commission (Naut.), to equip and man a goverment vessel, and send it out on service after it has been laid up; esp., the formal act of tacking command of a vessel for service, hoisting the flag, reading the orders, etc. — To put a vessel out of commission (Naut.), to detach the officers and crew and retire it from active service, temporarily or permanently. — To put the great seal, or the Treasury, into commission, to place it in the hands of a commissioner or commissioners during the abeyance of the ordinary administration, as between the going out of one lord keeper and accession of another. [Eng.] — The United States Christians Commission, an organization among the people of the North, during the Civil War, which afforded material comforts to the Union soldiers, and performed services of a religious character in the field and in hospitals. — The United States Sanitary Commission, an organization formed by the people of the North to coöperate with and supplement the medical department of the Union armies during the Civil War.
Syn.— Charge; warrant; authority; mandate; office; trust; employment.
COMMISSIONCom*mis"sion, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Commissioned; p. pr & vb. n.Commissioning.]
1. To give a commission to; to furnish with a commission; to empower or authorize; as, to commission persons to perform certain acts; to commission an officer.
2. To send out with a charge or commission. A chosen band He first commissions to the Latian land. Dryden.
Syn. — To appoint; depute; authorize; empower; delegate; constitute; ordain.
COMMISSIONAIRECom*mis`sion*aire", n. [F. commissionnaire. Cf. Commissioner.]
1. One intrusted with a commission, now only a small commission, as an errand; esp., an attendant or subordinate employee in a public office, hotel, or the like. The commissionaire familiar to European travelers performs miscellaneous services as a light porter, messenger, solicitor for hotels, etc.
2. One of a corps of pensioned soldiers, as in London, employed as doorkeepers, messengers, etc.
COMMISSIONAL; COMMISSIONARYCom*mis"sion*al, Com*mis"sion*a*ry a.
Defn: Of pertaining to, or conferring, a commission; conferred by a commission or warrant. [R.] Delegate or commissionary authority. Bp. Hall.
COMMISSIONATECom*mis"sion*ate, v. t.
Defn: To commission [Obs.]
COMMISSIONERCom*mis"sion*er, n.
1. A person who has a commission or warrant to perform some office, or execute some bussiness, for the goverment, corporation, or person employing him; as, a commissioner to take affidavits or to adjust claims. To another adress which requisted that a commission might be sent to examine into the state of things in Ireland, William returned a gracious answer, and desired the Commons to name the commissioners. Macaulay.
2. An officer having charge of some department or bureau of the public service. Herbert was first commissioner of the Admiralty. Macaulay. The commissioner of patents, the commissioner of the land office, the commissioner of Indian affairs, are subotdinates of the secretary of the interior. Bartlett. Commissioner of deeds, an officer having authority to take affidavits, depositions, acknowledgment of deeds, etc., for use in the State by which he is appointed. [U. S.] — County commissioners, certain administrative officers in some of the States, invested by local laws with various powers in reference to the roads, courthouses, financial matters, etc., of the county. [U. S.]
COMMISSIONNAIRECom*mis`sion*naire" (; F. ), n. Etym: [F., fr. L. commissio.]
1. An agent or factor; a commission merchant.
2. One of a class of attendants, in some European cities, who perform miscellaneous services for travelers.
COMMISSIONSHIPCom*mis"sion*ship, n.
Defn: The office of commissioner. Sir W. Scott.
COMMISSIVECom*mis"sive, a.
Defn: Relating to commission; of the nature of, or involving, commission. [R.]
COMMISSURALCom*mis"su*ral ( or ), a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a commissure.
COMMISSURE Com*mis"sure ( or ; 134-6), n. Etym: [L. commissura a joing together: cf. F. commissure. See Commit.]
1. A joint, seam, or closure; the place where two bodies, or parts of a body, meet and unite; an interstice, cleft, or juncture.
2. (Anat. & Zoöl.) (a) The point of union between two parts, as the angles of the lips or eyelids, the mandibles of a bird, etc. (b) A collection of fibers connecting parts of the brain or spinal marrow; a chiasma.
3. (Bot.)
Defn: The line of junction or cohering face of two carpels, as in the parsnip, caraway, etc.
COMMITCom*mit", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Commited; p. pr. & vb. n. Commiting.]Etym: [L. committere, commissum, to connect, commit; com- + mittereto send. See Mission.]
1. To give in trust; to put into charge or keeping; to intrust; to consign; — used with to, unto. Commit thy way unto the Lord. Ps. xxxvii. 5. Bid him farewell, commit him to the grave. Shak.
2. To put in charge of a jailor; to imprison. These two were commited. Clarendon.
3. To do; to perperate, as a crime, sin, or fault. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Ex. xx. 14.
4. To join a contest; to match; — followed by with. [R.] Dr. H. More.
5. To pledge or bind; to compromise, expose, or endanger by some decisive act or preliminary step; — often used reflexively; as, to commit one's self to a certain course. You might have satisfied every duty of political friendship, without commiting the honor of your sovereign. Junius. Any sudden assent to the proposal . . . might possibly be considered as committing the faith of the United States. Marshall.
6. To confound. [An obsolete Latinism.] Committing short and long [quantities]. Milton. To commit a bill (Legislation), to refer or intrust it to a committee or others, to be considered and reported. — To commit to memory, or To commit, to learn by heart; to memorize.
Syn. — To Commit, Intrust, Consign. These words have in common the idea of transferring from one's self to the care and custody of another. Commit is the widest term, and may express only the general idea of delivering into the charge of another; as, to commit a lawsuit to the care of an attorney; or it may have the special sense of intrusting with or without limitations, as to a superior power, or to a careful servant, or of consigning, as to writing or paper, to the flames, or to prison. To intrust denotes the act of committing to the exercise of confidence or trust; as, to intrust a friend with the care of a child, or with a secret. To consign is a more formal act, and regards the thing transferred as placed chiefly or wholly out of one's immediate control; as, to consign a pupil to the charge of his instructor; to consign goods to an agent for sale; to consign a work to the press.
COMMITCom"mit, v. i.
Defn: To sin; esp., to be incontinent. [Obs.]Commit not with man's sworn spouse. Shak.
COMMITMENTCom*mit"ment, n.
1. The act of commiting, or putting in charge, keeping, or trust; consigment; esp., the act of commiting to prison. They were glad to compound for his bare commitment to the Tower, whence he was within few days enlarged. Clarendon.
2. A warrant or order for the imprisonment of a person; — more frequently termed a mittimus.
3. The act of referring or intrusting to a committee for consideration and report; as, the commitment of a petition or a bill.
4. A doing, or preperation, in a bad sense, as of a crime or blunder; commission.
5. The act of pledging or engaging; the act of exposing, endangering, or compromising; also, the state of being pledged or engaged. Hamilton.
COMMITTABLECom*mit"ta*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being committed.
COMMITTALCom*mit"tal, n.
Defn: The act of commiting, or the state of being committed; commitment.
COMMITTEE Com*mit"tee, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. comité company, and LL. comitatus jurisdiction or territory of a count, county, assize, army. The word was apparently influenced by the verb commit, but not directly formed from it. Cf. County.]
Defn: One or more persons elected or appointed, to whom any matter or bussiness is referred, either by a legislative body, or by a court, or by any collective body of men acting together. Commitee of the whole [house], a committee, embracing all the members present, into which a legislative or deliberative body sometimes resolves itself, for the purpose of considering a particular measure under the operation of different rules from those governing the general legislative proceedings. The committee of the whole has its own chairman, and reports its action in the form of recommendations. — Standing committee. See under Standing.
COMMITTEECom`mit*tee", n. Etym: [From Commit, v. t.] (Law)
Defn: One to whom the charge of the person or estate of another, as of a lunatic, is committed by suitable authority; a guardian.
COMMITTEEMANCom*mit"tee*man, n.
Defn: A member of a committee.
COMMITTERCom*mit"ter, n.
1. One who commits; one who does or perpetrates. South.
2. A fornicator. [Obs.] T. Decker.
COMMITTIBLECom*mit"ti*ble, a.