commission

Where does the word "commission" come from? It comes from Latin commissio, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Commission’s story begins in Latin: commissio meant “a bringing together.” From 'committere', to entrust. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as commission. An authority entrusted. It reached English by 1300s as commission. Sales 'commissions' date from the 1700s. Today, commission means an instruction; a payment to an agent; a body of officials.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient commissio "a bringing together", from 'committere', to entrust.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval commission "commission", an authority entrusted.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s commission "authority", sales 'commissions' date from the 1700s.