commend

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin commendare (“commend, entrust to, commit, recommend”), from com- + mandare (“to commit, intrust, enjoin”), from manus (“hand”) + dare (“to put”). Doublet of command.

Pronunciation

• Audio (US)

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• Rhymes: -ɛnd

Verb

commend (third-person singular simple present commends, present participle commending, simple past and past participle commended)

1. To congratulate or reward.
2. To praise or acclaim.
   • Dryden

     Historians commend Alexander for weeping when he read the actions of Achilles.

3. To entrust or commit to the care of someone else.
   • 1611, Bible (King James Version), Luke 23:46:

     Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.

4. To mention by way of courtesy, implying remembrance and goodwill.
   • Shakespeare

     Commend me to my brother.

5. To recommend.
   • Sir M. Hale

     Among the objects of knowledge, two especially commend themselves to our contemplation.

   • Bible, Romans xvi. 1

     I commend unto you Phoebe our sister.

6. To force in a mental way.

(Can we add an example for this sense?)

Noun

commend (plural commends)

1. (obsolete) commendation; praise
   • Shakespeare

     Speak in his just commend.

2. (obsolete, in the plural) compliments; greetings
   • Howell

     Hearty commends and much endeared love to you.

Further reading

• commend in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• commend in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• commend at OneLook Dictionary Search