commination

noun

com·​mi·​na·​tion ˌkä-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce commination (audio)
comminatory
ˈkä-mə-nə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce commination (audio)
kə-ˈmi-nə-
-ˈmī-
adjective

Examples of commination in a Sentence

the tendency by some to regard every unfortunate natural disaster as a sign of the Almighty's commination of mankind's sinfulness

Word History

Etymology

Middle English comminacion "threat of punishment or vengeance," borrowed from Anglo-French comminacioun, borrowed from Latin comminātiōn-, comminātiō "act of threatening or menacing," from comminor, comminārī "to make a threat of, threaten" (from com- com- + minor, minārī "to threaten") + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at minatory

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of commination was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near commination

Cite this Entry

“Commination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commination. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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