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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Mission


MIS'SION, noun [Latin missio, from mitto, to send.]

1. A sending or being sent, usually the latter; a being sent or delegated by authority, with certain powers for transacting business; commission; as sent on a foreign mission

How to begin, how to accomplish best

His end of being on earth, and mission high.

2. Persons sent; any number of persons appointed by authority to perform any service; particularly, the persons sent to propagate religion, or evangelize the heathen. The societies for propagating the gospel have missions in almost every country. Last week a mission sailed for the Sandwich isles. We have domestic missions and foreign missions.

3. Dismission; discharge from service; a Roman use of the word; in English, obsolete.

4. Faction; party. [Not in use.]