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A formal written warrant or authority, granting certain powers or privileges and authorizing or commanding the performance of certain duties. Let him see our commission. Shak.

ertain administrative officers in some of the States, invested by local laws with various powers in reference to the roads, courthouses, financial matters, etc., of the county. [U. S.]

nt state, and the national government a confederation of such states, having only limited powers. It is advocated by advanced French republicans; but it should not be confounded with communism.

The Commune (a) The government established in Paris (1792-94) by a usurpation of supreme power on the part of representatives chosen by the communes; the period of its continuance is known as the "Reign of Terror." (b) The revolutionary government, modeled on the commune of 1792, which the communists, so called, attem…

The change of a penalty or punishment by the pardoning power of the State; as, the commutation of a sentence of death to banishment or imprisonment. Suits are allowable in the spiritual courts for money agreed to be given as a commutation for penance. Blackstone.

To reach round; to circumvent; to get within one's power; to obtain; to accomplish. If I can chek my erring love, I will: If not, to compass her I'll use my skill. Shak. How can you to compass your designs Denham.

The quality or power of being compatible or congruous; congruity; as, a compatibility of tempers; a compatibility of properties.

To force to yield; to overpower; to subjugate. Easy sleep their weary limbs compelled. Dryden. I compel all creatures to my will. Tennyson.

The state of being competent; fitness; ability; adequacy; power. The loan demonstrates, in regard to instrumental resources, the competency of this kingdom to the assertion of the common cause. Burke. To make them act zealously is not in the competence of law. Burke.

te; a confederate. [Obs.] Every hour more competitors Flock to their aid, and still their power increaseth. Shak.

y. These [ladies] . . . are by the just complaisance and gallantry of our nation the most powerful part of our people. Addison. They strive with their own hearts and keep them down, In complaisance to all the fools in town. Young.

al complement of a number (Math.), the difference between that number and the next higher power of 10; as, 4 is the complement of 6, and 16 of 84. -- Complement of an arc or angle (Geom.), the difference between that arc or angle and 90º. -- Complement of a parallelogram. (Math.) See Gnomon. -- In her complement (He…

, ingredients, or parts, in order to form a whole; to combine, mix, or unite. We have the power of altering and compounding those images into all the varieties of picture. Addison.

The capacity of the mind to perceive and understand; the power, act, or process of grasping with the intellect; perception; understanding; as, a comprehension of abstract principles.

Having the power to comprehend or understand many things. "His comprehensive head." Pope.

Compressing, or having power or tendency to compress; as, a compressive force.

Having power to compel; exercising or applying compulsion. Religion is . . . inconsistent with all compulsive motives. Sharp.

Having the power of compulsion; constraining.

The power or act which directs or impels to effort of any kind, whether muscular or psychical. Of conation, in other words, of desire and will. J. S. Mill.

reat classes of the cognitive faculties, the feelings, . . . and the exertive or conative powers, . . . was first promulgated by Kant. Sir W. Hamilton.