commend
EnglishEdit
EtymologyEdit
From Middle English commenden, from Old French comender, from Latin commendō (“commend, entrust to, commit, recommend”), from com- + mandare (“to commit, intrust, enjoin”), from manus (“hand”) + dare (“to put”). Doublet of command.
PronunciationEdit
VerbEdit
commend (third-person singular simple present commends, present participle commending, simple past and past participle commended)
- (transitive) To congratulate or reward.
- The schoolboy was commended for raising the alarm about the burning building.
- (transitive) To praise or acclaim.
- 1697, John Dryden, “[Dedication of the Æneis]”, in The Works Of Virgil: Containing His Paſtorals, Georgics, And Æneis […], London: Printed for Jacob Tonſon, […], OCLC 403869432, page 166:
- Segrais on this Subject of a Heroe's ſhedding Tears, obſerves that Hiſtorians commend Alexander for weeping, when he read the mighty Actions of Achilles.
- (transitive) To entrust or commit to the care of someone else.
- 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), imprinted at London: By Robert Barker, […], OCLC 964384981, Luke 23:46:
- Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.
- (transitive) To mention by way of courtesy, implying remembrance and goodwill.
- 1599, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Ivlivs Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act IV, scene iii]:
- Commend me to my brother.
- (transitive) To recommend.
- (Can we date this quote by Sir M. Hale and provide title, author's full name, and other details?)
- Among the objects of knowledge, two especially commend themselves to our contemplation.
- 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), imprinted at London: By Robert Barker, […], OCLC 964384981, Romans 16:1:
- I commend vnto you Phebe our sister, which is a seruant of the Church which is at Cenchrea:
- (Can we date this quote by Sir M. Hale and provide title, author's full name, and other details?)
- (transitive, dated) To adorn; to set off.
Related termsEdit
TranslationsEdit
to congratulate or reward
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to praise
to entrust
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See alsoEdit
NounEdit
commend (plural commends)
- (obsolete) Commendation; praise.
- c. 1607–1608, William Shakeſpeare, The Late, And much admired Play, Called Pericles, Prince of Tyre. […][1], London: Imprinted at London for Henry Goſſon, […], published 1609, OCLC 78596089, [Act 27, scene he had need meane better, then his outward ſhew
can any way ſpeake in his iuſt commend:]:
- (obsolete, in the plural) Compliments; greetings.
- (Can we date this quote by Howell and provide title, author's full name, and other details?)
- Hearty commends and much endeared love to you.
- (Can we date this quote by Howell and provide title, author's full name, and other details?)
Further readingEdit
- commend in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
- commend in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
- commend at OneLook Dictionary Search