tran(t)ˈsmit, traan-, -nzˈm-, ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷, usu -id.+V verb
( transmitted ; transmitted ; transmitting ; transmits )
Etymology: Middle English transmitten, from Latin transmittere, from trans- + mittere to send — more at smite
transitive verb
1.
a. : to cause to go or be conveyed to another person or place : send
he secured soldiers' pay and transmitted it to their families — A.V.D.Honeyman
prophets who are … a vehicle through which to transmit a revelation to the people — W.W.Howells
said it sounded to him like common sense, and he would transmit it to his father — Upton Sinclair
lists they shall sign and certify and transmit sealed to the seat of government — W.S.Sayre
b.
(1) : to pass on or spread about : disseminate , communicate
the knowledge that objects of different weights fall at different speeds was transmitted in western society — Ralph Linton
visual aids … are no better than the amount of information they transmit — J.K.Blake
some of the original power of the master is transmitted to the disciple — C.D.Lewis
(2) : to pass on by inheritance or heredity : hand down
through the legacy of their art the great ages have transmitted to us a dim image of their glorious vitality — J.W.Krutch
drew the inference that acquired habits cannot be transmitted — G.B.Shaw
selective breeding aims to eliminate bad characteristics and transmit the good
c. : to give or convey (a disease or infection) to another person or organism
attempts to transmit colds artificially … are successful — C.H.Andrews
human beings who are apparently well can transmit infectious disease — Morris Fishbein
mosquitos transmit malaria
2.
a.
(1) : to cause (as light or force) to pass or be conveyed through space or a medium
the telephone transmits sound
the power which an engine develops is transmitted to the wheels … by certain essential parts — Joseph Heitner
objects of higher temperature than the skin … transmit heat to it — F.A.Geldard
arches … transmit their loads to the walls of the river gorge — American Guide Series: Minnesota
(2) : to admit the passage of : conduct
glass transmits light
metals transmit electricity
b. : to send out (a signal) either by radio waves or over a wire line
intransitive verb
1. : to pass by transmission an obligation entailing either a right or a duty
2. : to send out a signal either by radio waves or over a wire line
Synonyms: see carry , send