v.
Pronunciation: k ə - ' mit
Function: verb
Inflected Form: com · mit · ted ; com · mit · ting
Etymology: Middle English committen, from Anglo-French committer, from Latin committere to connect, entrust, from com- + mittere to send
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 a : to put into charge or trust : ENTRUST b : to place in a prison or mental institution c : to consign or record for preservation < commit it to memory> d : to put into a place for disposal or safekeeping e : to refer (as a legislative bill) to a committee for consideration and report
2 : to carry into action deliberately : PERPETRATE < commit a crime>
3 a : OBLIGATE , BIND <a contract committing the company to complete the project on time> b : to pledge or assign to some particular course or use < commit all troops to the attack> c : to reveal the views of <refused to commit himself on the issue>
intransitive verb
1 obsolete : to perpetrate an offense
2 : to obligate or pledge oneself
– com · mit · ta · ble \ - ' mi-t ə -b ə l \ adjective
synonyms COMMIT , ENTRUST , CONFIDE , CONSIGN , RELEGATE mean to assign to a person or place for a definite purpose. COMMIT may express the general idea of delivering into another's charge or the special sense of transferring to a superior power or to a special place of custody < committed the felon to prison>. ENTRUST implies committing with trust and confidence <the president is entrusted with broad powers>. CONFIDE implies entrusting with great assurance or reliance < confided complete control of my affairs to my attorney>. CONSIGN suggests removing from one's control with formality or finality < consigned the damaging notes to the fire>. RELEGATE implies a consigning to a particular class or sphere often with a suggestion of getting rid of < relegated to an obscure position in the company>.