Etymology Map
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Commission

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an instruction; a payment to an agent; a body of officials

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

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

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.