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A doing, or preperation, in a bad sense, as of a crime or blunder; commission.

imits; -- used with within. In two hundred years before (I speak within compass), no such commission had been executed. Sir J. Davies.

To take by force or violence; to seize; to exact; to extort. [R.] Commissions, which compel from each The sixth part of his substance. Shak.

A formal assembly, as of princes, deputies, representatives, envoys, or commissioners; esp., a meeting of the representatives of several governments or societies to consider and determine matters of common interest. The European powers strove to . . . accommodate their differences at the congress of Vienna. Alison.…

The spiritual court of a diocesan bishop held before his chancellor or commissioner in his cathedral church or elsewhere. Hook.

The lowest grade of commissioned officer in a British cavalry troop, who carried the standard. The office was abolished in 1871.

The commission or rank of a cornet.

A noncommissioned officer, next below a sergeant. In the United States army he is the lowest noncomissioned officer in a company of infantry. He places and relieves sentinels. Corporal's guard, a detachment such as would be in charge of a corporal for guard duty, etc.; hence, derisively, a very small number of persons.…

A count; an earl or lord. [Obs.] Shak. County commissioners. See Commissioner. -- County corporate, a city or town having the privilege to be a county by itself, and to be governed by its own sheriffs and other magistrates, irrespective of the officers of the county in which it is situated; as London, York, Bristol, e…

lected delegate. The committee of estates excepted against the credentials of the English commissioners. Whitelocke. Had they not shown undoubted credentials from the Divine Person who sent them on such a message. Addison.

Any violation of law, either divine or human; an omission of a duty commanded, or the commission of an act forbidden by law.

A writ to commission private persons to do some act in place of a judge, as to examine a witness, etc. Bouvier.

To lay before; to submit in a respectful manner; to refer; -- with to. Hereupon the commissioners . . . deferred the matter to the Earl of Northumberland. Bacon.

An agreement by which an agent or factor, in consideration of an additional premium or commission (called a del credere commission), engages, when he sells goods on credit, to insure, warrant, or guarantee to his principal the solvency of the purchaser, the engagement of the factor being to pay the debt himself if it i…

elegating, or state of being delegated; deputed power. [Obs.] By way of delegacy or grand commission. Sir W. Raleigh.

owered to act for another; one deputed to represent; a chosen deputy; a representative; a commissioner; a vicar.

One or more persons appointed or chosen, and commissioned to represent others, as in a convention, in Congress, etc.; the collective body of delegates; as, the delegation from Massachusetts; a deputation.

A refusal to grant; rejection of a request. The commissioners, . . . to obtain from the king's subjects as much as they would willingly give, . . . had not to complain of many peremptory denials. Hallam.

The act of deputing, or of appointing or commissioning a deputy or representative; office of a deputy or delegate; vicegerency. The authority of conscience stands founded upon its vicegerency and deputation under God. South.

To appoint as deputy or agent; to commission to act in one's place; to delegate. There is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 2. Sam. xv. 3. Some persons, deputed by a meeting. Macaulay.