commend
verbnounattested in dialogue
- //kəˈmɛnd//
To congratulate or reward.
verb
- 1
To congratulate or reward.
The schoolboy was commended for raising the alarm about the burning building.
- 2
To praise or acclaim.
The new law has little to commend it: it even worsens the legal certainty of the nation.
1485 – Thomas Malory. Le Morte Darthur, Book X, Chapter xliiij, leaf 242v Thenne Quene Gueneuer commended hym and soo dyd alle other good knyghtes made moche of hym excepte sire Gawayns bretheren / "Then Queen Guenever commended him, and so did all other good knights make much of him, except Sir Gawaine’s brethren."
Segrais on this Subject of a Heroe's ſhedding Tears, obſerves that Hiſtorians commend Alexander for weeping, when he read the mighty Actions of Achilles.
- 3
To entrust or commit to the care of someone else.
After being imprisoned, I had to commend my kids to my mom's safekeeping.
Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.
- 4
To mention by way of courtesy, implying remembrance and goodwill; give regards from
Commend me to my brother.
- 5
To recommend.
Among the objects of knowledge, two especially […] commend themselves to our contemplation.
I commend vnto you Phebe our sister, which is a seruant of the Church which is at Cenchrea:
- 6
datedTo adorn; to set off.
Etymology
From Middle English commenden, from Old French comender, from Latin commendō (“commend, entrust to, commit, recommend”), from com- + mandō (“to commit, intrust, enjoin”), from manus (“hand”) + dō (“to put”). Doublet of command.
noun
- 1
obsoleteCommendation; praise.
He had need meane better, then his outward ſhew Can any way ſpeake in his iuſt commend:
- 2
obsoleteCompliments; greetings.
Hearty commends and much endeared love unto you.
Forms
- plural
- commends
- past tense
- commended
- past participle
- commended
- present participle
- commending
- third person singular
- commends