Etymology and origin of the Latin word commissionarius
- Confidence
- Established
- Formation
- Derivation
- First attested
- 1316
- Ultimate origin
- Latin commissiō
Etymology tree
From the same root
Forms
commissionārius m (genitive commissionāriī); second declension[1][2]
Etymology
It is from Latin commissiō (“a committing; in Medieval Latin, a delegation of business”) + -ārius.[2][3]
Earliest recorded meaning
Köbler dates the first record to 1316, from Latham's word list.[2] The DMLBS quotes it from 1435 as an adjective, of letters of commission, and as a noun for a commissioner or delegate.[1]
Semantic evolution
In English records it named the king's commissioners and delegates: commissioners of the king in a county (1414), the admiral's commissaries and commissioners (1440), commissioners who assessed the value of monastic property (1535).[1] A patent of Elizabeth I of 1559 appoints commissioners to treat with her subjects.[1][4]
English commissioner (early 15th century) came from Anglo-French commissionaire, itself from or modelled on the Medieval Latin word.[3] Du Cange notes that the French commissionnaire was an agent who carried on a merchant's business.[4]
Timeline
- 1316 – First recorded, according to Köbler.[2]
- 1414 – Used of the king's commissioners in a county.[1]
- 1435 – Litterae commissionariae, letters of commission, in a Canterbury register.[1]
- 1559 – Elizabeth I appoints commissioners by patent.[1][4]
Meanings
Noun
- (Medieval Latin) A commissioner, delegate.[1][4]
Adjective
- (Medieval Latin, law) Of a commission: litterae commissionariae, letters of commission.[1]
Related words
- English commissioner
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
- ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
- ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
- ^ a b c d du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre
Cite this entry
“Commissionarius.” Etymologically, 23 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/commissionarius. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.
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