Middle English Dictionary Entry

remissiǒun n.
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Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) Release from duty or obligation; freeing of captives; Bibl. dai of ~, a holiday from work; yer of ~, a Jubilee year; also, a Sabbatical year; don (maken) ~, to grant immunity; also, Bibl. grant freedom (from debt, to slaves, etc.); (b) mercy, pardon, respite; withouten ~; don (maken) ~.
2.
Theol.: (a) Forgiveness, remission of sin; plenere ~, full forgiveness of sin; also, remission of punishment (by an indulgence) [see also plenere adj. (b)]; ben of ~, of a relic: to have an indulgence attached; don (maken) ~; (b) release from or lessening of canonically imposed penances.
3.
Phys. & physiol. Of a quality, symptom, etc.: reduction in intensity; bi ~, weakly, mildly.
4.
Law: (a) A transfer of property, quitclaim; (b) a legal opinion, submission.
5.
Reference, cross reference.