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mis·sion

(mĭshən)

a. A special assignment given to a person or group: an agent on a secret mission.

b. A combat operation assigned to a person or military unit.

c. An aerospace operation intended to carry out specific program objectives: a mission to Mars.

2. An ambition or purpose that is assumed by a person or group: felt it was his mission in life to help the poor.

a. A body of persons sent to conduct negotiations or establish relations with a foreign country.

b. The business with which such a body of persons is charged.

c. A permanent diplomatic office abroad.

d. A body of experts or dignitaries sent to a foreign country.

a. A body of persons sent to a foreign land by a religious organization, especially a Christian organization, to spread its faith or provide educational, medical, and other assistance.

b. A mission established abroad.

c. The district assigned to a mission worker.

d. A building or compound housing a mission.

e. An organization for carrying on missionary work in a territory.

f. missions Missionary duty or work.

5. A Christian church or congregation with no cleric of its own that depends for support on a larger religious organization.

6. A welfare or educational organization established for the needy people of a district.

tr.v. mis·sioned, mis·sion·ing, mis·sions

1. To send (someone) on a mission.

2. To organize or establish a religious mission among (a people) or in (an area).

adj.

1. Of or relating to a mission.

2. Of or relating to a style of architecture or furniture used in the early Spanish missions of California.

3. often Mission Of or relating to a furniture style originating during the Arts and Crafts Movement and characterized by sturdy, angular, solid wood construction.

[French, from Old French, from Latin missiō, missiōn-, from missus, past participle of mittere, to send off.]

mission·al adj.

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mission

Mission San Luis Rey

Oceanside, California

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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