commission

  • noun 1 an instruction, command, or duty. 2 an order for something to be produced specially. 3 a group of people given official authority to do something. 4 a sum paid to an agent in a commercial transaction. 5 a warrant conferring the rank of military officer. 6 the action of committing a crime or offence. 7 archaic the authority to perform a task.

  • verb 1 order or authorize the production of. 2 bring into working order. 3 appoint to the rank of military officer.

  — PHRASES in (or out of) commission in (or not in) use or working order.

  — ORIGIN Latin, from committere ‘join, entrust’.

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