Main Entry:

¹com·mis·sion

Pronunciation:

\kə-ˈmi-shən\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin commission-, commissio act of bringing together, from committere

Date:

14th century

1 a: a formal written warrant granting the power to perform various acts or duties b: a certificate conferring military rank and authority ; also : the rank and authority so conferred2: an authorization or command to act in a prescribed manner or to perform prescribed acts : charge3 a: authority to act for, in behalf of, or in place of another b: a task or matter entrusted to one as an agent for another4 a: a group of persons directed to perform some duty b: a government agency having administrative, legislative, or judicial powers c: a city council having legislative and executive functions5: an act of committing something <commission of a crime>6: a fee paid to an agent or employee for transacting a piece of business or performing a service ; especially : a percentage of the money received from a total paid to the agent responsible for the business7: an act of entrusting or giving authority

— in commission or into commission

1: under the authority of commissioners2of a ship : ready for active service3: in use or in condition for use

— on commission

: with commission serving as partial or full pay for work done

— out of commission

1: out of active service or use2: out of working order