commission

commission [kə mish′ən]

n.

[ME & OFr < ML commissio, delegation of business (in L, a bringing together in a contest) < L commissus, pp. of committere: see COMMIT]

1.

a) an authorization to perform certain duties or tasks, or to take on certain powers

b) a document giving such authorization

2. authority to act in behalf of another

3. that which a person is authorized to do for another

4. the state of being authorized to perform certain duties or tasks

5. an entrusting, as of power and authority, to a person or body

6. the act of committing or doing; perpetration, as of a crime

7.

a) a group of people officially appointed to perform specified duties

b) an administrative agency of the government with quasi-judicial and quasi-legislative powers

c) a type of municipal governing body: see COMMISSION PLAN

8. a fee or a percentage of the proceeds paid to a salesperson, broker, etc., either in addition to, or in lieu of, wages or salary

9. Mil.

a) an official certificate conferring rank; specif., a document issued by the government, making one a commissioned officer in the U.S. armed forces

b) the rank or authority conferred

vt.

1. to give a commission to

2. to give power or authority to; authorize

3. to give an order for (a thing to be made or done)

4. to put (a vessel) into service

SYN.- AUTHORIZE

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in commission

1. entrusted to commissioners

2. in use

3. in fit condition for use

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out of commission

1. not in use

2. not in fit condition for use