commend
/kəˈmɛnd/
verb
Origin
Latin
commendare — to commit to the care of, praise
Overview
Meaning Now
- To praise formally or officially.
- To entrust someone or something to another for care or protection.
Literal older meaning
to commit or deliver together
Language path
Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
commenden
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word originates from the Latin 'commendare', which evolved from a sense of placing something in someone's hands (trust) to the act of speaking well of someone's qualities (praise).
Evolution
- Classical Latin
commendare
“to entrust, to commit, to praise”
Formed from com- (together) + mandare (to entrust/order).
- Old French
comender
“to recommend, to entrust”
- Middle English
commenden
“to praise, to entrust”
Connections
Word parts
com-
prefix
together, with
mandare
root
to entrust
Related across languages
French
commander
to order or to command
Italian
comandare
to order
Explore next
Related to commend
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.