Middle English Dictionary Entry
commissionē̆r n.
Entry Info
| Forms | commissionē̆r n. |
| Etymology | From commissiǒun , on the model of OF commissionaire & ML commissiōnārius. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) An officer empowered by the king, or by one of his chief officers, to carry out specified administrative, judicial, or fiscal duties; a commissioner; (b) by extension, of a prelate regarded as God's officer.
Associated quotations
a
- (1427) RParl.4.318b : Yat no persone beinge in this present Parlement, be ye auctorite of oure saide soverain Lord..be in any wise Commissioner or Assessour of ye saide Subsidee.
- (1429) Proc.Privy C.3.338 : In þe presence of þe Kinges commissioners, þat shal be deputed þerto.
- (1442) Doc.Ireland in RS 69275 : Please it your highnesse..to direct a commissioun to certain commissioners to enquere..of the matere.
- (1443-50) Pet.Chanc.in Seld.Soc.10136 : True inquisicions hereof taken byfore certein Commissioners, bi vertu of the kinge's Commission to theim directe.
- (1447) RParl.5.138a : Afore Justicez of the pees, or eny other havyng power such Enditementz or Appellez to take, or other Commissioners.
- (1448) Shillingford139 : That the money or taxe..reryd and levyed by the seide baily..and payde to the mynesters of the seide citee assigned by the seide Maier..or to other comyscyoners.
- (1461) RParl.5.495a : That youre severall Commissions be direct into every of youre Shires..to such persones as shall mowe pleas youre Highnes to make your Commissioners, yevyng theym full auctorite and power.
- (1474) RParl.6.113a : Dyvers Commyssioners..assigned by your Highnes..to assesse the said xth part within the severall jurisdiction' of their Commyssions.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)125 : The kynge shall often tymes sende his comissioners..to represse and punysh riatours and risers.
- c1475(?c1451) Worcester Bk.Noblesse (Roy 18.B.22)72 : That none of youre officers roialle, nethir hir debitees or commissioneris, shalle darre..to take no bribe.
b
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)55/6 : Ye owe Him both seruice and feithe as His creaturis and .. ministers, and as a gaarde vnto His people and to kepe rightwisenes as a commyssioner and a ministour; and ye do not so, He will .. revoke your commyssione.