mission

mission [mish′ən]

n.

[L missio, a sending, sending away < missus, pp. of mittere, to send < IE base * smeit-, to throw > Avestan hamista-, cast down]

1. a sending out or being sent out with authority to perform a special service; specif.,

a) the sending out of persons by a religious organization to preach, teach, and convert

b) the sending out of persons to a foreign government to conduct negotiations

c) the work done by such persons

2.

a) a group of persons sent by a religious body to spread its religion, esp. in a foreign land

b) its organization, headquarters, or place of residency

c) [pl.] organized missionary work

3. a group of persons sent to a foreign government to conduct negotiations; diplomatic delegation; embassy

4. a group of technicians, specialists, etc. sent to a foreign country

5. the special duty or function for which someone is sent as a messenger or representative; errand

6. the special task or purpose for which a person is apparently destined in life; calling

7. any charitable, educational, or religious organization for helping persons in need

8. a series of special religious services designed to increase faith or bring about conversion

9. a district without a church of its own, served by a nearby church

☆ 10. Mil. a specific combat operation assigned to an individual or unit; esp., a single combat flight by an airplane or group of airplanes

adj.

1. of a mission or missions

☆ 2. of or in the style of the early Spanish missions in the SW U.S.; specif., designating a type of heavy, dark furniture with simple, square lines

vt.

1. to send on a mission

2. to establish a religious mission in (district) or among (a people)