commitn.
/kəˈmɪt/, U.S. /kəˈmɪt/ Computing.
A protocol or procedure for making changes to a database permanent and visible to all users; the action or an act of making such changes permanent.
ΚΠ
1980 Jrnl. Faculty Engin. Univ. Tokyo B. 35 647 Operation steps 4 and 5 are called ‘Two Phase Commit’, which were developed by Lindsay of IBM.
1988 8th Internat. Conf. Distributed Computing Syst. 14/2 This storage may become part of a segment after a successful commit.
1990 M. P. Atkinson et al. in S. B. Zdonik & D. Maier Readings Object-orientated Database Syst. ii. 143/1 Not performing a commit is equivalent to aborting the transaction.
2014 T. Kyte & D. Kuhn Expert Oracle Database Archit. (ed. 3) v. 177 A commit in one session does not affect any other session on that connection.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
commitv.
/kəˈmɪt/, U.S. /kəˈmɪt/ I. To entrust, consign.† 1. † 3. transitive (chiefly in passive) To convict (a person) of a crime or offence. Obsolete.† 8. transitive. To bring (a person) into the presence of another; to admit, conduct. Obsolete. rare.
a. transitive. To give (a person) the power or authority to perform a duty or office; to appoint to carry out a task; to commission. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > delegated authority > investing with delegated authority > vest authority in a person [verb (transitive)] > commission to do something
assign1297
chargec1300
ordainc1330
commita1402
limitc1405
commisea1470
task1530
taska1592
consign1705
detail1837
betask1857
a1402 J. Trevisa tr. R. Fitzralph Defensio Curatorum (Harl.) (1925) 63 (MED) Freres beþ nouȝt cleped noþer committed to vse þat office, but haueþ a baar leue.
c1475 (?c1451) Bk. Noblesse (Royal) (1860) 85 (MED) The tresorers and chaungers that were comytted to receyve the money.
1489 W. Caxton tr. C. de Pisan Bk. Fayttes of Armes ii. xxx. sig. Jviiv And rewlers shal be there commytted for to rewle them.
a1500 (c1400) St. Erkenwald (1977) l. 201 I was committid and made a mayster-mon here To sytte vpon sayd causes.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. f. clxxx/2 The erle of Salisbury..entred agayne in to his shippes to kepe ye marches and fronters as he was commytted to do.
?1566–7 G. Buchanan Opinion Reformation Univ. St. Andros in Vernacular Writings (1892) 11 Ane regent salbe committit to se that thay be dewly exercist.
b. transitive. To delegate, assign (a task, duty, issue, etc.) to another to be performed or dealt with; to delegate, transfer, or entrust (the power or authority to do something) to another. Chiefly Law in later use. Obsolete except as merged in sense 2a. Cf. to commit administration at Phrases 5.In quot. c1450: †to give the power to a person (to perform a task) (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > delegated authority > investing with delegated authority > vest authority in a person [verb (transitive)] > depute or delegate authority
commit1419
depute1495
delegate1530
devolve1633
demandate1641
substitute1700
devolute1891
1419 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1834) II. 256 (MED) Alle this we committe to yow..to be wroght after youre discrecions.
?1435 in C. L. Kingsford Chrons. London (1905) 42 (MED) By the power..commytted to vs..We pronounce..the same Kyng Richard..to be..vnworthy to the Reule..off the fforseyd Rewmes.
c1450 J. Capgrave Solace of Pilgrims (Bodl. 423) (1911) 120 (MED) To me hast þou comitted to minister þe sacrament of cristis body on to þe puple.
1528–30 tr. T. Littleton Tenures (new ed.) f. xviv Yf he make none executours..the ordynary maye commyt the admynystracyon of his goodes to other.
c1540 J. Bellenden tr. Livy Hist. Rome (1901) I. 60 The two jugis (to quham the caus was committit).
1550 in C. Rogers Rental Bk. Cupar-Angus (1880) II. 68 Giffand, grantand, and committand to the said Sir Thomas Irwyng our full powar..to..lift and rais the malis..of our said tenement.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxiv. 539 M. Aemylius the Pretour, whose lot it was to have the jurisdiction over the foreiners, had committed his auctoritie unto his Colleague Atilius, the Pretour of the citizens of Rome, that he might governe the province about Luceria.
1606 T. Bell Regiment of Church vi. 43 His [sc. the Prince's] subiects are not to limit what persons he shall vse in counsell, or to whom hee shall commit the execution of his lawes.
1651 N. Bacon Contin. Hist. Disc. Govt. xviii. 162 Conservators of the Truce were settled in every Port, who had power committed to them to punish Delinquents against the Publick Truce.
1700 R. Brady Contin. Compl. Hist. Eng. 404 It would please the King..to commit full Power to certain Lords and others whom he pleased, to Examin, Answer, and Dispatch the Petitions, Matters, and Things abovesaid.
1740 Universal Hist. V. iii. xiii. 169 He..committed the administration of justice to the senators and knights.
1769 W. Robertson Hist. Charles V III. vi. 407 The Queen of Hungary, to whom her brother the Emperor had committed the government of that part of his dominions.
1789 W. W. Grenville Speech Committee on State of Nation 40 They committed the whole authority of a King into the hands of a Regent, controuled and fettered by a fixed and permanent council.
1825 H. Wheaton Rep. Supreme Court U.S. 10 61 It does not follow, that..Congress..cannot commit the power to the Courts of justice.
1884 Sessional Papers Canada (5th Parl., 2nd Sess.) IX. No. 30 e. 50 The Imperial Parliament were committing to the people of Canada, as a whole, legislative power.
1907 Southeastern Reporter 55 643/1 The General Assembly may commit the right to grant licenses to the Bar Association of the state or to some other agency.
1910 New Church Messenger 1 June 362/2 I move to amend the motion by striking out the part of the resolution which commits the appointment of the editor to the General Council.
2.
a. transitive. To place (a person, thing, matter, etc.) in the care, custody, or charge of another; to entrust to.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > commit to care or custody of another
givea1000
beteachc1000
teachc1000
betake1297
trust1340
bekena1375
commenda1382
putc1390
recommanda1393
commitc1405
recommendc1405
resignc1425
allot1473
commise1474
commanda1500
consign1528
in charge (of)1548
credit1559
incommend1574
entrusta1586
aret1590
be-giftc1590
concredit1593
betrust1619
concrede1643
subcommit1681
to farm out1786
confide1861
fide1863
doorstep1945
to foster out1960
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Melibeus (Hengwrt) (2003) §337 Thanne shul ye committe the kepyng of youre persone to youre trewe freendes.
1422 in A. T. Bannister Reg. Thome Spofford (1919) 80 (MED) Oure lord..committed tham under the cure..of thair byshopp.
1477 Earl Rivers tr. Dictes or Sayengis Philosophhres (Caxton) (1877) lf. 33 Committe [Fr. cometez] all thy causes to god.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Sam. xvii. 20 Dauid..commytted [L. commendavit] the shepe to ye keper.
1552 Abp. J. Hamilton Catech. Pref. The christin pepil committit to our cure.
1611 Bible (King James) Psalms xxxi. 5 Into thine hand I commit [L. commendo] my spirit. View more context for this quotation
1696 J. Pechey tr. T. Sydenham Whole Wks. iv. vi. 160 Not long a go a very Virtuous and Noble Lady was committed to my care, who had the dangerous black Small-pox.
1747 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1851) V. 122 In committing goods of such a value to the Indian Traders.
1781 W. Jones Ess. Bailments (1790) 82 A common hoyman, like a common waggoner, is responsible for goods committed to his custody.
1828 E. Strutt Spinster's Tour in France, States of Genoa, Etc. 173 The sum of one hundred thousand ducats of gold was collected, and committed to the custody of the baron.
1870 Earl Stanhope Hist. Eng. II. x. 61 He could not venture to land the troops committed to his charge.
1957 D. E. Hiebert Everyman's Bible Comm.: First Timothy iv.123 A soldier standing guard over a treasure which has been committed to him for safekeeping.
1967 Brit. Jrnl. Psychiatry 113 871/1 The prescription of such drugs meets a very real need of doctors to appear to be doing something for the cohorts of unfortunates committed to their charge.
2014 Irish Times (Nexis) 21 Apr. (Features section) 14 The Church of Ireland..had taken to forbidding Catholic observances in the public graveyards committed to its care.
b. transitive. To place (a person, thing, matter, etc.) in the power, or at the mercy of someone or something; to consign or resign to the control, judgement, will, etc., of someone or something. Frequently reflexive: to submit or surrender oneself to. †to commit to sea: to set out on a sea voyage (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for or protect [verb (reflexive)] > commit to the care of another
putc1390
commit1569
to fling oneself upon1842
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care or protect [verb (intransitive)] > entrust anything to another's care
commit1599
?c1422 T. Hoccleve Ars Sciendi Mori l. 830 in Minor Poems (1970) i. 209 Help ne refuyt is ther for thee noon ellis, But to the mercy of god thee committe, By no way þat nat leue ne ommitte.
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) i. l. 2447 (MED) Ȝif to myn ordynaunce Ȝe ȝow committe, and lowly list obeye.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 15 To them, wych in grete tempest wyl commyt themselfe to the daungerys of the see.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 68 The king..vnderstanding that the Archbishop would commit himselfe to his arbitrement.
1599 J. Hayward 1st Pt. Henrie IIII 68 The Duke..presently departed to Calic, and so committed to sea for England.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxxi. 788 The Romane fleet having in the beginning of the same summer committed to sea from Corcyra.
1639 J. Woodall Surgeons Mate (rev. ed.) Pref. sig. B2v By curing of such as committed themselves to his weake skill.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 24 Once again committing ourselves to the Sea, we ploughed deeper Water.
1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 150. ⁋8 To set rocks..at defiance..and commit his life to the winds.
1752 Life Patty Saunders xiii. 114 Searching round and under the bed, if all was safe, I committed myself to Providence.
1881 Pop. Sci. Monthly Feb. 468 The physical laws of God find an echo in the voice of our innate monitor, and only an hereditary mistrust in our instincts makes us still hesitate to commit ourselves to its guidance.
1886 H. James Bostonians (1966) xix. 140 She needn't trouble herself any more about her sister, whom she simply committed to her fate.
1907 Educ. Rev. Nov. 399 Should the child be committed to the mercies of a private tutor, matters are in no wise improved.
1997 P. O'Connell Knight Hawk 20 With a last look around and a deep breath, she committed herself to fate.
c. transitive. To commend or entrust (a person, oneself, one's soul, etc.) to God, a saint, etc., by means of prayer; to present to God for blessing, protection, etc. Cf. commend v. 1b.In quot. 1569: to consign to the devil for damnation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > commit to care or custody of another > specifically a person > by expression of wish
betake1297
beteachc1314
commitc1425
c1425 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 20 (MED) I shall commytte me And all myne to seynt Barthilmewe, aduocatte of this place.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 113 He made all the Belles to be rong..and the booke of excommunications and interdictions publiquely to be reade, committing them wholy to the Deuill for their contumacie and contempt.
1599 F. Thynne Animaduersions (1875) 75 I sett ende to these matters; comyttinge you to god, and me to your Curtesye.
1657 G. Fermin in S. Marshall Power Civil Magistrate To Rdr. For the other Notes which I have added..I have..Committed them to the Lord for his blessing.
1710 O. Sansom Acct. Life 227 The next morning, after we had a little time with Friends, and had committed them to the Lord, who had refreshed us together, we passed from thence to Charlowfield.
1893 E. A. Stuart Children of God 224 Happy the man who has such real Christian friends that, as he goes forth upon the waters of death, he leaves those behind who can, in perfect faith, commit him to God!
1985 R. C. Anderson Effective Pastor iii. xx. 256 As a person nears death, the family and pastor should gather around him and join in prayers committing him to God.
2008 N.Z. Herald (Nexis) 28 June He said he not only identified the victims but prayed for each of them and committed them to God.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > judging > conviction or judicial condemnation > convict or condemn [verb (transitive)]
fordeemc1000
attain1330
filec1330
condemna1340
shape1340
dem1377
convictc1380
reprovea1382
damnc1384
overtakea1393
attainta1400
taintc1400
commita1425
vanquish1502
convincea1535
cast1536
convanquish1540
deprehend1598
forejudge1603
do1819
a1425 Serm. (Rawl.) in G. Cigman Lollard Serm. (1989) 205 [If] a man were commit by þe lawe, he shulde be stonyd wiþout þe cite.
1439 in F. B. Bickley Little Red Bk. Bristol (1900) II. 163 (MED) Yf eny man of the seid Crafte..lede away eny manner seruaunt or apprentece of the seide Crafte..and be duely committed thereof..he..schal pay to the vse of the commune profite..iij s.
4.
a. To imprison or place in custody, esp. as a punishment or while awaiting trial; to send to prison.
(a) transitive. With complement.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > arrest > [verb (transitive)] > commit to custody
commit1425
commise1480
commit1569
remand1593
refera1675
mittimus1764
1425 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Apr. 1425 §46. m. 14 Diverses persones..acused of treson, felonye, Lollardrie..bene commyttyd alday by the kynges commaundement..to the Toure of London.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 287 Taken..and..committed into Curtoyse prison in the Tower.
1632 in S. R. Gardiner Rep. Cases Star Chamber & High Comm. (1886) 315 She shalbe committed close prisoner to Newgate.
1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. iv. 401 Committing a Homicide into prison.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones III. vii. ix. 63 He would exceed his Authority by committing the Girl to Bridewell, as there had been no Attempt to break the Peace. View more context for this quotation
1793 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. (ed. 12) 343 He may apprehend, and commit to prison, all persons who break the peace.
1833 H. Martineau Three Ages iii. 96 The magistrates committed the prisoners to the House of Correction for one month each.
1876 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People vii. 351 Four prelates..were..committed on frivolous pretexts to the Tower.
1946 H. C. S. J. Gardiner Mysteries' End iii. 35 On one occasion ‘Andrew Tailer, usinge the occupation of Diers,’ refused to pay 3s. 8d. as his share of the pageant money and was committed to gaol until it was paid by two friends.
1998 Times 25 June 25/3 Here we have detainees who are unconvicted of any such offence and have already spent ten months on remand; yet they are still committed to prison.
2005 Presidential Stud. Q. 35 477 He filed an action for false imprisonment against the marshal who committed him to the penitentiary.
(b) transitive. Without complement.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > arrest > [verb (transitive)] > commit to custody
commit1425
commise1480
commit1569
remand1593
refera1675
mittimus1764
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 387 (margin) The Erle of Arondell taken and committed.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 v. ii. 111 You did commit me. View more context for this quotation
1656 J. Bramhall Replic. to Bishop of Chalcedon vi. 231 Power to administer an Oath, or to commit a Malefactor.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 441 They were bound..to proceed according to the rules of Parliament, which was to commit the person so impeached, and then give a short day for his trial.
1752 H. Fielding Amelia I. i. iv. 30 This Fellow..is a Gambler, and committed for cheating at Play.
1803 Lit. Mag. Nov. 156/1 A fire was discovered... It evidently appeared to have been the work of design; and a negro wench has been committed upon suspicion.
1886 Law Rep.: Weekly Notes 11 Dec. 197/1 To commit a solicitor for breach of an order to deliver a bill of costs.
1920 Jrnl. Royal Anthropol. Inst. 50 45 If the man died.., whoever had speared the leopard would of course be tried, and no doubt hanged, for murder, and the elders committed for abetment of the same.
2009 Irish Times (Nexis) 11 July (Obituaries section) 14 The president of the High Court..threatened to commit him for contempt of court.
(c) intransitive.
ΚΠ
1628 in F. H. Relf Notes Deb. House of Lords (1928) 130 The King cannot committ for any cause tryable at common Lawe. But for reason of State he maye.
1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews I. ii. iii. 146 ‘In his Capacity as a Justice,’ continued he, ‘he behaves so partially, that he commits or acquits just as he is in the humour, without any regard to Truth or Evidence.’ View more context for this quotation
1817 W. Selwyn Abridgem. Law Nisi Prius (ed. 4) II. 866 The sheriff had not any authority to commit.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 623 Justices were unwilling to commit.
1975 Amer. Jrnl. Legal Hist. 19 277 A similar objection could have been raised against the king's prerogative power to commit without cause.
2008 V. Dunn & V. Lachkovic Family Law in Pract. (ed. 10) xiii. 280 Judges (including district judges) have broad power to commit for contempt.
b. transitive. To place (a person) in an institution (now esp. a psychiatric hospital) for care or treatment; esp. to cause (a person) to be compulsorily detained in such an institution. Frequently in passive. Also intransitive with object understood.Frequently without complement, esp. with reference to detention in a psychiatric hospital.
ΚΠ
1743 in Acts & Laws Massachusetts-Bay (1759) 308 The Master of the House..shall keep a Register of the Names of the Persons committed to such Work-House.
1793 Gentleman's Mag. Dec. 1125/1 Every second child committed to the foundling cradle in Dublin inherits this shocking malady.
1808 Act 48 Geo. III c. 96 §23 All Lunatics, insane Persons, or dangerous Idiots so committed to such Asylum, shall be safely kept.
1843 Rep. New Hampsh. Asylum 17 Although entirely crippled, she was committed as a person dangerous to be at large.
1884 Harper's Mag. May 912/1 I wondered also whether the ghosts could not be overcome with strong drink—a dissipated spook, a spook with delirium tremens, might be committed to the inebriate asylum.
1907 40th Ann. Rep. State Board of Charities (N.Y.) 575 Should we allow the self respecting poor to be committed to the poorhouse to live out their days therein with the intemperate and immoral?
1962 E. Albee Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? ii. 94 Actually, I'm rather worried about you. About your mind... I think I'll have you committed.
1996 Mental & Physical Disability Law Reporter 20 584/2 Of most concern are the statutes that grant a guardian open-ended authority to commit without prior court approval.
2008 Irish Independent 28 Nov. (Day & Night section) 12/3 Jones and his department start a smear campaign against her and eventually have her committed.
5.
a. transitive. To refer (a matter, issue, etc.) to another person or group for consideration; spec. to refer or send (a legislative or parliamentary bill, motion, resolution, etc.) for consideration by a committee (committee n.2 1b).With specific reference to British parliamentary procedure, cf. committee stage n. at committee n.2 Compounds 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legislation > make (laws) or establish as law [verb (transitive)] > refer to committee
commit1449
commise1623
to send (a bill) upstairs1835
1449 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Feb. 1449 §18. m. 5 Which maters and declarations..the kyng..committed to certeyn lordes of the same parlement, for to examyn and decide.
1449 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Feb. 1449 §25. m. 7 He woll þat þis bille..be committed to the archiebisshoppes and bisshoppes..be cause it touchith the immunite and liberte of the chirch.
1566 Orig. Jrnls. House of Commons 19 Dec. 1 f. 282v The bill for bankrupts and fraudulent gyfes wt the bill for the bankrupts to be comytted to amend.
1587 J. Hooker Chron. Ireland 129/1 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II When anie bill is committed, the committees haue not authoritie to conclude, but onelie to order, reforme, examine, and amend the thing committed vnto them.
1621 H. Elsynge Notes Deb. House of Lords (1870) 95 To proceede with those Bylles which are comytted.
1641 Ld. G. Digby 3rd Speech to Commons 6 This..Petition should bee committed.
1678 A. Marvell Acct. Growth Popery (new ed.) 33 This Notorious Bill..was read a second time, and committed.
1702 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) V. 249 The commons read a 2d time, and committed the bill for encouraging the consumption of malted corn.
1778 H. Laurens in J. Sparks Corr. Amer. Revol. (1853) II. 235 Although your Excellency's observations are committed, I am much mistaken if every member of Congress is not decided in his opinion in favor of them.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India III. vi. i. 39 This bill..when, in the language of parliament, it was committed, in other words, considered by the House, when the House calls itself a committee.
1834 Hist. Congr. I. v. 514 This motion was committed to a committee of the whole house.
1902 Proc. 11th Congr. Daughters Amer. Revol. in Amer. Monthly Mag. June 1278 It has been moved and seconded, and discussed that the resolution of Miss Miller be committed to the National Board of Management.
1965 Times 29 June 13/5 The principal objection generally raised to committing the Finance Bill to a Standing Committee is that it would undermine the constitutional right of every member to speak in debates on taxation.
2006 Congress. Rec. 25 Sept. 19197/3 I move to commit the bill to the Judiciary Committee, with instructions to report back forthwith, with an amendment.
b. transitive. Law. To refer a (case) to a particular court for trial. Cf. to commit for (also to) trial at Phrases 8.
ΚΠ
1841 Let. 19 Jan. in Rep. State of Police in Divisions of Chittagong & Cuttack (1842) 78 The third case was committed to the Sessions the prisoner having been previously convicted of burglary.
1870 Times 23 June 11/4 In this case, committed from Bow-street Police-court, Mr. George Lewis..will defend the prisoner at the Central Criminal Court.
1924 G. E. Gates Woman's Year Bk. 1923–4 118 These courts [sc. Quarter Sessions]..try indictable offences which have been committed to them. Graver cases must be committed to a higher court.
1992 Canberra Times 9 Apr. 3/2 Nor did the decision call into question the propriety of the order made by the magistrate who committed the case to the Supreme Court.
2015 M. Tunley et al. Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist Handbk. viii. 192 Magistrates will..decide whether there is a case to answer. If there is, they will commit the case to the Crown Court which will then take ownership of the case.
6.
a. transitive. To record or preserve in writing; to write down; frequently in to commit to writing (also paper). Now also: to record or preserve by some other method, as film, photography, sound recording, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > [verb (transitive)] > set down in writing
adighteOE
to set on writea900
dightc1000
writeOE
brevea1225
layc1330
indite1340
take1418
annote1449
printa1450
scribe1465
redact?a1475
reduce1485
letter1504
recite1523
to commit to writing (also paper)1529
pen1530
reduce?1533
token up1535
scripture1540
titulea1550
to set down1562
quote1573
to put down1574
paper1594
to write down1594
apprehend1611
fix1630
exarate1656
depose1668
put1910
society > communication > record > written record > record in writing [verb (transitive)]
writeeOE
awriteeOE
markOE
titlea1325
record1340
registera1393
accordc1450
chronicle1460
to write upa1475
calendar1487
enrol1530
prickc1540
scripture1540
to set down1562
report1600
reservea1616
tabulatea1646
to take down1651
actuate1658
to commit to writing (also paper)1695
to mark down1881
slate1883
1529 Bp. S. Gardiner Let. 12 Sept. (1933) 344 Ye have certain thinges to shew[e unto] the Kinges Highnes, which your Grace thinki[th not] convenient to be committed to wryting.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 69 Alanus, Herbertus, and other..that commytted to story the doyngs of Becket.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie i. xix. 33 Therefore was nothing committed to historie, but matters of great and excellent persons & things that the same by irritation of good courages..might worke more effectually.
1607 J. Cowell Interpreter sig. Iii2a An act committed to writing in any of the Kings Courts during the terme wherein it is written, is alterable, and no record.
1695 J. Woodward Ess. Nat. Hist. Earth 67 There was little leisure to commit any thing to Writing.
1793 G. Crump in T. Beddoes Let. to E. Darwin 33 Not having committed any thing to paper relative to him.
1828 D. M. Moir Life Mansie Wauch Preliminaries p. v All notable characters..have made a trade of committing to paper all the surprising occurrences and remarkable events that chanced to happen to them.
1883 Manch. Guardian 22 Oct. 5/4 When the bashful bard had committed his verses to print.
1924 Times 25 Sept. 9/5 The Pitaka Buddhist texts were revised and committed to writing in Ceylon.
1957 J. Bishop Day Christ Died (1959) 49 The King enjoyed committing to writing the peccadilloes and administrative errors of Roman governors.
1991 Photo Answers Apr. 63/3 You can see exactly what is, and isn't, in focus before you commit the shot to film.
2001 Times 11 Dec. ii. 18/3 The most moving expression of the man's-gotta-do-what-a-man's-gotta-do-what-a-man's-gotta-do maxim ever committed to disc.
2014 Univ. Chicago Law Rev. 81 252 Arguing over price and quantity and committing the agreement to paper.
b. transitive. To learn so as to be able to recall from memory without assistance; to memorize. Chiefly in to commit to memory. Also without complement (rare).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > memory > retention in the mind > memorization > memorize, learn by heart [verb (transitive)]
record?c1225
renderc1380
to can by rotec1405
con?a1425
to con by heartc1449
can1496
to bear away1530
get1540
commend to memory1550
commit?1551
to con over1605
rotea1616
lodge1622
to get off by heart1709
memorize1834
rehearse1902
memorate1983
?1551 H. Wingfield Compend. or Shorte Treat. i. sig. B.ij The phantasye alwayes conceiuyng thinges, and committynge them to memorye.
1576 A. Fleming Panoplie Epist. Argt. 226 The Epistle is worthie to be committed to memorie.
1606 S. Gardiner Doomes-day Bk. xi. 83 A godly man purposing to commit the whole Psalme to memorie, and to meditate well vpon it.
1696 E. Pelling Disc. Existence God xi. 421 To commit Notions to Memory for a long time.
1741 I. Watts Improvem. Mind i. xvii. 259 Things which we would commit to our Remembrance.
1798 M. Edgeworth & R. L. Edgeworth Pract. Educ. II. xiii. 403 The grammatical formulæ may then by gentle degrees be committed to memory.
1837 Musical World 15 Dec. 220 The melodies are such as the youthful mind may readily commit to memory.
1868 Mich. Univ. Mag. Feb. 190 Having failed to commit his speech, he was compelled to have constant recourse to his notes.
1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues IV. 116 No longer compelled to commit to memory many thousand..verses.
1921 H. B. Wilson Motivation School Work (rev. ed.) xiii. 251 The child wants to commit the poem in order to have it at hand for reciting at home.
1965 K. Vonnegut God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater (1967) vi. 77 The only poem I ever thought enough of to commit to heart.
2002 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 19 Dec. 78/2 In the preliterate past, information was committed to memory, not to paper.
7. transitive. To put (a person or thing) into a place, receptacle, state, etc., decisively, permanently, or with lasting effect; to consign, relegate.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > place or put in a position [verb (transitive)] > deposit or put away
to put upc1330
to lay up?a1366
leavea1375
disposec1420
stowc1485
reposea1500
repose?c1525
commit1531
reject1541
dispatcha1566
tuck1587
to put away1607
reposit1630
repositate1716
to stow away1795
park1908
1531 G. Joye tr. Prophete Isaye xxx. sig. h.ij Then shall he geue rayne to yo wer sede whiche ye shall committe [L. seminaveris] vnto the grounde, and it shall bringe forth fode from the erthe.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Buriall f. xxiiii*v His body we commit to the earth.
1587 Let. in Lansd. MS 115 Art. 93 Committinge the pepper into caskes.
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads xxiii. 223 I'll find an urn of gold t' enclose them..and to rest Commit them.
1631 J. Weever Anc. Funerall Monuments 847 Taking off the Lead, and committing it to sale.
1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. ii. 126 We idly sit..Our hands committed to our Pockets.
1749 T. Smollett Regicide v. vii. 72 To the cold Grave commit my pale Remains!
1785 Wit's Mag. 2 43/1 I committed myself to the arms of Morpheus, in a kind of discumbent posture within the nest.
1878 J. Morley Diderot I. 165 They committed all the original manuscripts..to the flames.
1895 W. H. Mallock Heart of Life III. xv. 232 The Canon watched him, and saw him commit the letter to the post.
1936 E. A. Atkins & A. G. Walker Electr. Arc & Oxy-acetylene Welding (ed. 3) xi. 121 The residue should be completely neutralized by adding about ten times its own volume of water before committing it to the disposal dump.
1966 Folklore 77 156 He..cuts the rope-fetters just before the corpse is committed to the earth.
2014 Eastern Daily Press (Norwich) (Nexis) 11 Aug. The files have been committed to archives not to be released for 100 years.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > acceptance, reception, or admission > accept, receive, or admit [verb (transitive)] > a person
receivec1330
admitc1410
commit1598
society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > show (the way) [verb (transitive)] > bring or take to a place
leadc825
conveya1375
accompany1426
bringa1500
assist1525
associate1548
hand1590
commit1598
see1603
to set out1725
set1740
trot1888
1598 Famous Victories Henry V sig. D2v I am glad that he is come.., Commit him to our presence.
1598 Famous Victories Henry V sig. D2v Commit my Lord Archbishop of Burges into our presence.
II. To do something wrong; to perpetrate.† 10. intransitive. To behave in a reprehensible manner; to offend, sin; esp. to commit adultery or fornication. Obsolete.
9.
a. transitive. To carry out (a reprehensible act); to perpetrate (a crime, sin, offence, etc.).Cf. to commit suicide at Phrases 6.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > do [verb (transitive)] > something bad
workeOE
doOE
commit1445
commisea1475
perpetrec1475
perpetrate1542
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > [verb (transitive)] > by committing an offence
overgoOE
aguiltOE
misguiltc1330
erra1340
offenda1387
trespass14..
commit1445
commisea1475
offence1512
1445–6 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Feb. 1445 §32. m. 7 The said prower afterward, byfore the justicez of the saide benche expressely knowleched, that no such stelthe..was comitted.
1451 in W. Fraser Mem. Maxwells of Pollok (1863) I. 168 All pain and offens ȝe may inrin and commyt again oure Maieste.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Boke yf Eneydos xxiv. sig. Gj Thoffence that Eneas hath commytted [Fr. a commis] ayenste her.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Acts 89 b I haue committed [L. admiserim] nothyng agaynst my countreymen.
1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Cviij Yf any man committe [L. confecerit] murther.
1611 Bible (King James) Exod. xx. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. View more context for this quotation
1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini Ragguagli di Parnasso i. xli. 86 Provincialists are more troubled at the immodesty of an Officers favorite, than at a foul insolency committed by a Townsman.
1728 J. Dalton Narr. Street Robberies 32 A Man who was what they call a Bug to the Mollies,..picking 'em up, as if to commit that damnable Crime of Sodomy.
1780 J. Bentham Introd. Princ. Morals & Legisl. (1789) xiii. §1 There are some offences which all the world can commit.
1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) II. 2 That the grantee shall not commit felony or treason.
1876 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People iv. 166 Responsible for crimes committed within its bounds.
1907 J. M. Synge Playboy of Western World (1979) iii. 71 Isn't it by the like of you the sins of the whole world are committed?
1982 Manch. Guardian Weekly (Nexis) 12 Sept. 23 Lacy was dismissed for ‘serious foul play’..and Bailey went because he had committed a bookable foul after being cautioned.
2009 Independent 24 Jan. 20/4 These documents..are used to commit fraud..and in the worst-case scenario, to commit terrorist offences.
b. transitive. To make (an error, mistake, etc.); to do (something foolish or careless).
ΚΠ
a1500 (c1477) T. Norton Ordinal of Alchemy (BL Add.) (1975) l. 1336 In this werk nothing fynde ye shalle But handcrafte callid arte Mechanycalle; wherin an hundrede wysis and mo ye may committ a faylle as ye therin go.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. vii. sig. E6 The error committed..becomes a sharply learned experience.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice ii. vi. 37 Louers cannot see The pretty follies that themselues commit . View more context for this quotation
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 159 Absurdities, Many..doe commit.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost viii. 26 I oft admire, How Nature..could commit Such disproportions. View more context for this quotation
1752 D. Hume Ess. & Treat. (1777) II. 5 It is easy for a profound philosopher to commit a mistake in his subtile reasonings.
1798 Ld. Clare in Ld. Auckland's Corr. (1862) III. 395 The pamphlet..is full of beastly blunders committed in the printing-office.
1827 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey IV. vii. i. 290 What radical error had he committed?
1872 E. Peacock Mabel Heron I. iv. 70 It is a piece of folly..which I cannot think of permitting her to commit.
1928 J. F. Dashiell Fund. Objective Psychol. xvii. 517 Success was determined by the omitting or committing of errors.
1957 W. S. Churchill Hist. Eng.-speaking Peoples III. xii The agitations of Adams and his friends were beginning to peter out, when Lord North committed a fatal blunder.
1998 Independent 14 Apr. i. 1/6 Politicians..should not make life even more difficult for themselves by committing the terrible mistake of trying to look cool.
2014 Loughborough Echo (Nexis) 17 Oct. 39 Voice your complaints and get onto your borough councillors before we commit the worst folly of a lifetime.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > [verb (intransitive)]
guiltc825
misdoOE
misfereOE
misnimc1225
trespass1303
forfeita1325
misguiltc1330
misworka1375
transverse1377
offendc1384
mistakec1390
faulta1400
commit1449
misprize1485
digress1541
transgress1662
society > law > rule of law > lawlessness > break the law [verb (intransitive)] > carry out criminal activities > commit a crime or an offence
commit1449
offend1560
pull1915
society > morality > moral evil > wrong conduct > evildoing or wrongdoing > do evil or wrong [verb (intransitive)] > transgress or offend
guiltc825
sinc825
to break a bruchec1225
trespass1303
forfeita1325
folly1357
misworka1375
transverse1377
offendc1384
mistakec1390
faulta1400
commit1449
misprize1485
transgress1526
digress1541
misdeal1573
to commit (also do, make) an offence1841
overstep1931
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > fornication, adultery, or incest > commit fornication, adultery, or incest [verb (intransitive)] > commit fornication or adultery
sin?c1225
commit1449
1449 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1837) VI. 78 It ne were nor is lawfull to [þ]e partie ayeinst whome it were so attemptid in semble wise to committe and offende þe trewe.
1560 Bible (Geneva) Rom. Argt. When man..committed most abominably, both against the law of God, and nature.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xi. 72 Commit not with mans sworne spouse. View more context for this quotation
1614 T. Overbury et al. Characters in Wife now Widdow sig. D Shee commits with her eares for certaine.., but shee hath been lyen with in her vnderstanding.
1621 R. Montagu Diatribæ Hist. Tithes 434 You did not commit against it voluntarily.
1693 J. Dryden tr. Juvenal in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal Satires iii. 40 If none they find for their lewd purpose fit, They with the Walls and very Floors commit.
11. transitive. humorous and ironic. To do (something likened by the speaker to a crime or offence). Cf. perpetrate v. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > do [verb (transitive)] > something bad > something humorously seen as bad
commit1678
perpetrate1823
1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. ii. 149 Lampoons, the only wit, That Men, like Burglary Commit.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall III. 80 The saint once..imprudently committed a miracle.
1826 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey I. ii. i. 74 ‘Committing’ puns.
1875 W. D. Whitney Life & Growth Lang. viii. 147 A person commits thus an addition to language.
1951 Hudson Rev. 4 470 If names have been changed, even if incidents have been rearranged and invented..that is hardly sufficient reason to charge Levi with having committed a novel.
1995 Wall St. Jrnl. 8 Feb. a14/1 At the risk of committing philistinism, we think this subject deserves an airing from a strictly commercial viewpoint.
12. transitive. To connect, join; to unite. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > fact or action of being connected or connecting > connect [verb (transitive)]
yokea1400
engluec1430
entacha1500
connect1537
colligate1545
connex1547
commit1560
complect1578
copulate1669
1560 tr. E. Roesslin Byrth of Mankynde (new ed.) i. f. xlvii Vesseles..committing [L. committentes] and ioynyng the testycle to Peritonium.
1578 J. Banister Hist. Man i. f. 24v Thus are the ribbes committed to the Vertebres.
1667 H. More Divine Dialogues (1713) iii. §28. 250 A company of Rings closely committed together.
1672 N. Grew Anat. Veg. i. 25 The two main Branches..are all united, commit not themselves into the Seminal Trunk of the Plume.
13.
a. transitive. To bring (parties) into a state of discord, conflict, or contest; to cause to become opponents; to embroil or involve in hostility. Also figurative. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > hatred > hostility > show hostility to [verb (transitive)] > engage parties as opponents or competitors
commit1614
society > society and the community > dissent > competition or rivalry > compete with [verb (transitive)] > set in competition
couple1362
comparison1382
matchc1440
commit1614
measure1720
pit1754
pitch1801
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > disharmony or incongruity > be unharmonious or incongruous with [verb (transitive)] > put out of harmony > put in opposition
commit1614
1614 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. II. vi. 218 Hee that hath brought vs into this fielde, hath promised vs victory. God knew their strength, ere hee offered to commit vs.
1643 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce 22 Committing two ensnared souls..to kindle one another..with a hatred inconcileable.
1648 J. Milton To H. Lawes in H. Lawes Choice Psalmes sig. av Not to scan With Midas eares, committing short and long.
1677 R. Gilpin Dæmonol. Sacra ii. vii. 313 From hence (as when Fire and Water are committed together) ariseth a most troublesome conflict.
b. transitive. To bring (a party) into discord, conflict, or contest with another; to embroil in hostility with. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > hatred > hostility > show hostility to [verb (transitive)] > make hostile
embroil1610
commit1616
hostilize1794
1616 B. Jonson Poëtaster (rev. ed.) To Rdr., in Wks. I. 348 For, in these strifes, and on such persons, were as wretched to affect a victorie, as it is vnhappy to be committed with them.
1620 Bp. J. Hall Honor Married Clergie iii. xviii. 341 To be committed with any reasonable or Scholler-like Antagonist.
1768 F. Blackburne Occas. Remarks Strictures Confessional 50 What hope can a man, who commits himself with such opponents, have, that the controversy will ever be brought to a fair issue, or indeed to any issue at all?
1799 W. J. MacNeven Argument for Independence 48 A more active regimen for dissension, was resorted to by the common enemy, in order that when one party was thoroughly committed with the other, and reconciliation desperate, they might..seek common vengeance in common ruin.
1804 Ld. Castlereagh in Marquess Wellesley Select. Despatches (1877) 262 It commits us in hostility with the three greatest military powers of the empire.
1815 Earl Bathurst in Duke of Wellington Suppl. Despatches (1863) X. 5 I apprehend everything from his committing the army with Buonaparte.
1854 H. H. Milman Hist. Lat. Christianity III. vii. v. 214 The revolted son..whom it was their interest to commit irreparably with his father.
14.
a. transitive. To expose to risk, suspicion, or discredit, esp. by indiscreet or unwise action; to compromise, undermine, jeopardize (a reputation, etc.). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > endanger [verb (transitive)] > put at risk
to put in adventurec1300
jeopardc1374
wage?a1400
adventurec1400
jeopardy1447
enhazard1562
hazard1569
venture1575
impawn1613
hazardize?a1616
to put in or to a (or the) venture1638
risk1660
compromise1696
commit1738
compromit1787
to lay (or put) it on the line1968
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > detract from [verb (transitive)] > expose to discredit
compromise1696
commit1738
compromit1787
1738 tr. French Novels i. 14 She resolved..to act in such a Manner with her Lover, that he should, of himself, arrive at the precise Point where she wish'd him, without committing her Honour [Fr. sans mettre son honneur en danger].
1769 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) I. viii. 54 You might have satisfied every duty of political friendship, without committing the honour of your Sovereign.
1792 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) III. 454 The importance of restraining individuals from committing the peace and honor of the two nations.
1816 J. Gilchrist Philos. Etymol. 37 Yet Dugald Stewart has committed the reputation of his understanding, by asserting, etc.
1863 C. C. Clarke Shakespeare-characters vi. 157 Shakespeare has never once committed his character in such a way that we should refuse cordially to grasp his hand.
1918 C. F. Himes Life & Times T. Cooper 44 He regretted greatly that Dr. Silliman should so far have committed his reputation as a man of science as to publish that syllabus; containing positions which no well informed geologist of Europe or of this country would now sustain.
b. transitive (reflexive). To expose oneself to risk, criticism, etc.; to compromise oneself. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > expose oneself to danger [verb (reflexive)]
submit?1473
to run (also push, cast oneself, etc.) upon the pikes?1556
venture1572
commit1782
the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > bind by a promise [verb (reflexive)]
plighta1325
affiancec1487
undertakea1715
commit1782
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > discredit oneself [verb (reflexive)] > expose to discredit
commit1782
1782 D. O'Bryen Remarks Rep. Peace 14 How stands, it with those of the present cabinet, who could not, without covering themselves in an indelible disgrace, meet the old ministry in council? They have committed themselves long since.
1789 Parl. Reg. 1781–96 XXVI. 9 I know how far I commit myself: I cannot presume to say, that if I have been wrong, it is not for want of pains to be right.
a1797 H. Walpole Walpoliana (1799) I. lxxi. 45 They hesitate, and wait for the public opinion... They are afraid to commit themselves by speaking out.
1803 Ld. Nelson 29 Dec. in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) V. 336 The Queen..would hardly commit herself in communicating secrets to a Frenchman.
1861 Sat. Rev. 14 Sept. 269 The strength of a snub lies in the sudden apprehension that we have committed ourselves.
1923 Man. Seamanship (H.M.S.O.) III. 125 Defaulters. All men that commit themselves should be brought before the officer of the watch.
V. To pledge, dedicate, devote.
15.
a. transitive (reflexive). To obligate or bind (oneself) to a particular course of action, policy, etc., either explicitly or by some action or statement which implies an undertaking; to take a decision, make a statement, or perform an action from which no withdrawal is possible.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > undertake or apply oneself [verb (reflexive)] > commit oneself
takec1175
commit1774
1774 London Mag. Dec. 581/2 We wish to be known as persons..who are not in haste, without enquiry or information, to commit ourselves in declarations, which may precipitate our country into all the calamities of a civil war.
1789 Walker's Hibernian Mag. Apr. 213/1 I trust, before they commit themselves to such a measure, they will consider it again and again.
1839 J. H. Newman Parochial Serm. IV. ii. 40 This is what comes of committing ourselves to an evil line of conduct.
a1862 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilisation Eng. (1869) III. iv. 193 The preachers had now committed themselves too far to recede.
1875 W. Stubbs Constit. Hist. II. xvii. 604 When the question is put barely before them they avoid committing themselves.
a1902 F. Norris Pit (1903) x. 400 She had committed herself now; recklessly she plunged on.
1976 Ld. Home Way Wind Blows i. 17 The Scots deserted their safe line of retreat into the Cheviot Hills and committed themselves to the plain.
2015 Daily Mail (Nexis) 20 Mar. The Government has committed itself to spending at least 0.7 per cent of GDP..on foreign aid.
b. transitive. To obligate or bind (a person, group, etc.) to following a particular course of action, policy, etc., either explicitly or by some action or statement which implies an undertaking.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > undertake [verb (transitive)] > commit to a course of action
to nail down1707
commit1782
1782 London Chron. 16 May 470/2 He had been unwilling to commit the nation unless at their own desire..but now we had committed them..there was nothing now to be negotiated.
1826 D. Webster Speech House Representatives 14 Apr. 18 What important or leading measure is there, connected with our foreign relations, which can be adopted, without the possibility of committing us to the necessity of a hostile attitude?
1884 N.Z. Parl. Deb. 50 510/1 The second resolution..commits us to pay a share..of the sum of £15,000 asked for by the Imperial Government.
1938 Cambr. Hist. Jrnl. 6 6 This agreement committed England to possible war with France.
1992 J. Symons Something Like Love Affair (1993) iii. ii. 119 ‘You'll meet him?’ ‘Why not? It won't commit either of us to anything’.
2014 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 12 Nov. 5 The Marine and Coastal Access Act, which committed the Government to establishing a network of protected areas to conserve sea habitats and wildlife.
c. transitive (reflexive or in passive). To make a personal commitment to a cause, person, way of life, etc.; to devote or dedicate oneself to.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > indulge in moral reflections [verb (intransitive)] > carry out something with moral seriousness
commit1839
society > morality > give moral quality to [verb (reflexive)] > carry something out with moral seriousness
commit1839
society > leisure > the arts > artist > [verb (reflexive)] > involve oneself in social or political issues
commit1839
1839 W. E. Forster Let. 7 July in T. W. Reid Life W. E. Forster (1888) I. iv. 124 If I be not speedily committed to the slave trade cause, I shall be committed to something else.
1863 M. Oliphant Rector & Doctor's Family 22 How could he tell how much or how little was necessary to prove that a man had ‘committed himself’? For anything he could tell, somebody might be calculating upon him as her lover, and settling his future life for him.
1937 H. Sauer Ex Afr. 26 On the second visit, the ‘sitting up’ period in the evening is somewhat more prolonged, but the young man does not finally commit himself yet, and it is only after several ‘sittings up’ that he puts the vital question.
1950 B. Frechtman tr. J.-P. Sartre What is Lit.? p. vii ‘If you want to commit yourself,’ writes a young imbecile, ‘what are you waiting for? Join the Communist Party.’
2010 Ultra Fit 768/2 If you're committing yourself to training for a challenge such as a marathon..book some time in a sports science lab and get tested properly.
d. intransitive. To make a commitment to a course of action, a contract, etc.; to pledge, give an undertaking to do something.
ΚΠ
1982 Business Week (Nexis) 25 Oct. 15 Investors are simply unwilling to commit at fixed rates far into the future.
1989 Wall St. Jrnl. (European ed.) 14 Feb. 22/3 CBS has suggested it would commit in advance for 22 episodes, an unusually large $10 million gamble on a new series nowadays.
1997 H. H. Tan Foreign Bodies (1998) xxvi. 228 I still didn't know if I could commit. ‘I don't know. I've been to church and it doesn't do anything for me,’ I said.
2012 Atlantic June 51/1 An iPhone app asks users to commit to visiting a gym a certain number of times each week and agree to forfeit at least $5 each time they skip.
e. intransitive. spec. To resolve to remain in a long-term (monogamous) relationship with another person; to demonstrate such resolution through a willingness to marry, have children, etc. Cf. commitment n. 7c.
ΚΠ
1987 Yoga Jrnl. May 36/3 To commit or not to commit—that is the question!
1999 Daily Variety (Nexis) 15 Oct. A circa-1970s Manhattan bachelor..whose reluctance to commit rings no less resoundingly today.
2009 D. O'Briain Tickling Eng. ii. 11 Oh Sophia, what were you doing? He was clearly ready to commit.
16.
a. transitive. To assign, dedicate (troops) to a particular conflict, engagement, or operation; to send or deploy (military forces) to carry out a task.
ΚΠ
1842 United Service Mag. July 403 He suffered some loss..owing..to want of information,—a want which a careful reconnaissance, before committing troops in action, will usually supply.
1891 Belfast News-let. 6 Feb. 6/6 It was the first duty of a commander to study the physical aspect of a country and ascertain the best position to commit troops to engagement.
1902 G. S. Whitmore Last Maori War v. 72 I was compelled..to refrain from advancing my troops, or in any way committing my force to operations at this point.
1944 Economist 1 July 8/2 If the Germans commit substantial forces to the defence of Finland.., then their strategy will seem to have..lost coherence.
1978 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 20 Oct. 10/6 Mr. Jamieson refused to commit Canadian forces to a peacekeeping force.
2001 C. Coker Humane Warfare iv. 78 Zero tolerance is already a problem when it comes to committing troops to open-ended conflict.
b. transitive. gen. To assign, pledge, or set aside (resources) for a particular purpose or project.
ΚΠ
1913 Scotsman 6 Aug. 7/8 Financiers who have had to take up 80 or 90 per cent. of the securities they have underwritten..have begun to feel afraid of committing their resources any further.
1948 Times 21 Aug. 4/4 Private relief agencies have already responded by promising all the D.D.T. requested and committing funds for the immediate purchase of 10 per cent. of the food needed.
1977 P. G. Zimbardo Shyness ii. 118 You must be willing to commit time and energy, and to risk some short term failures.
2011 S. Joseph Blame it on WTO? i. 28 The government had already committed substantial funds to fighting HIV in South Africa.
Phrases
P1. transitive. to commit battle (and variants) [after classical Latin committere pugnam] : to join battle; to fight. Now archaic and rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > contend in battle or give battle [verb (intransitive)] > join or meet in battle
to come togetherOE
to lay togetherc1275
smitec1275
to have, keep, make, smite, strike, battle1297
joustc1330
meetc1330
copec1350
assemblea1375
semblea1375
coup?a1400
to fight togethera1400
strikea1400
joinc1400
to join the battle1455
to commit battle?a1475
rencounter1497
to set ina1500
to pitch a battlea1513
concura1522
rescounter1543
scontre1545
journey1572
shock1575
yoke1581
to give in1610
mix1697
to engage a combat1855
to run (or ride) a-tilt1862
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1871) III. 413 (MED) A grete batelle was committe [L. committitur], in whom either kynge was woundede.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. LLiiv We be constrayned to commyt batayle & fight.
1549 T. Cooper Lanquet's Epitome of Crons. ii. f. 74 Iudas committyng battaile with Bachides at Barziton, was slayne.
1624 A. Leighton Speculum Belli Sacri xxxiv. 178 How wise and carefull then should Generalls be in committing fight.
1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) 466 Here was committed that memorable warre.
1668 H. P. Cressy Church-hist. Brittany vii. v. 122/2 He should make use of that [sign of the Crosse] as a firm guard and protection whensoever he was to committ battell with his enemies.
1898 A. E. Ford Hist. 15th Regiment Mass. Volunteer Infantry 83 If his orders were discretionary..then upon him must rest the responsibility for committing battle in such an unfavorable position.
2000 E. Facey in J. Raimondo Enemy of State iii. 106 Instead of committing battle against federal aid to education they ask that the aid be distributed to persons who have taken loyalty oaths.
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1466 in C. L. Kingsford Stonor Lett. & Papers (1919) I. 77 The seid Richard for the seid riote may be commytted to ward.
1549 H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie sig. Eiiiv He would be punyshed & commytted to ward.
1686 N. Johnston Excellency Monarchical Govt. xxxiv. 383 Petty Constables may commit to Ward breakers of the Peace.
1798 R. Hawes et al. Hist. Framlingham 48 The bishop was forthwith attached by the lord-marshal and committed to ward, in the abbey of St. Alban's.
1852 T. Wright Hist Scotl. II. xvill. 198/1 Meanwhile, the lairds of Drumquhassel and Cleish..had been committed to ward and subjected to searching examinations.
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1543 ( Chron. J. Hardyng (1812) 271 (MED) Kyng Iohn then wold not admytte..for the prelates prayer; But prisoned some and some to death commytte.
1625 A. Darcie tr. W. Camden Hist. Elizabeth iii. 186 A free Queen and absolute Princesse should not be committed to death.
P4. transitive. to commit marriage (also matrimony): to marry.In later use frequently with humorous allusion to sense 9a (cf. sense 11).
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1589 J. Lyly Pappe with Hatchet sig. E3 Because thou saist thou art vnmarried, thou maist commit matrimonie.
1594 J. Lyly Mother Bombie i. iii. sig. Bv I haue bene tampering as long to haue a marriage committed betweene my wench and Memphios only son.
1690 T. Shadwell Amorous Bigotte iv. 33 Didsht dou not maake Vow unto me, never to commit marriage.
1699 R. L'Estrange Fables (ed. 3) I. 306 A creeping young fellow committed matrimony with a brisk gamesome lass.
1741 Erskine tr. A. F. Prévost d'Exiles Mem. & Adventures Marquis de Bretagne & Duc d'Harcourt III. 235 We should slip privately out of Town, and go streight to Paris, where we were to commit Marriage on our Arrival.
1781 T. L. O'Beirne Generous Impostor iii. 44 Had I committed matrimony with you, hanging or drowning would be my only refuge.
1828 Whitby Panorama July 193 I have long threatened to commit matrimony.
1867 R. E. Lee Let. 23 Feb. in Recoll. & Lett. Gen. R. E. Lee (1904) xiv. 256 We were somewhat surprised the other morning at Mrs. Grady's committing matrimony.
1903 Ohio Law Bull. 25 May 216/2 ‘You shouldn't say this young couple “committed” matrimony.’ ‘Why not?’ ‘It isn't good taste. You talk as if they had done something wrong.’
2005 R. Roszel Just Friends xii You have no intention of committing matrimony with him or, most likely, anybody.
P5. Law. transitive. to commit administration: to transfer the legal authority to administer a person's estate, property, etc., to another; spec. to appoint a person or persons to settle the estate of a person who dies intestate or without an executor. Cf. administration n. 5a, administrator n. 1a, 1b. Now rare.
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society > law > transfer of property > testamentary disposition > make a will [verb (intransitive)] > arrange administration of estate
to commit administration1629
1629 Vse of Law Table sig. A4v, in J. Doddridge Lawyers Light The Archbishop of that Prouince where hee Dyed is to commit Administration.
1742 Jura Ecclesiastica II. 93 Tempore Vacationis of an Archbishoprick or Bishoprick, the Dean and Chapter shall commit administration.
1766 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. II. 506 It is necessary for the ordinary to commit administration afresh, of the goods of the deceased not administred by the former executor or administrator.
1914 L. J. Phillimore Hewson v. Shelley xiii. 40 in Harvard Law Rev. (1919) 32 327 The power to commit administration and to pass the property thereby.
1923 Wisconsin Statutes I. 2068 If all named as executors neglect to qualify the court may commit administration of the estate, with the will annexed.
P6. transitive. to commit suicide: to end one's own life intentionally; to kill oneself. Also figurative and in extended use. Cf. sense 9a.Historically, suicide was regarded as a crime in many societies. Laws against suicide existed in English common law until 1961.
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the world > life > death > killing > suicide > [verb (intransitive)]
to commit suicide1712
suicide1840
to end it (all)1911
to take one's (own) life1920
to drink the Kool-Aid1978
1712 T. Rhind Apol. 196 That very Exercise..which had almost driven him to Despair, and to commit Suicide.
1774 Gazetteer & New Daily Advertiser 4 Feb. The truth is, the Opposition has triumphed over itself, or rather committed suicide.
1817 W. Selwyn Abridgem. Law Nisi Prius (ed. 4) II. 970 A proviso..declaring the policy to be void in case the insured should..commit suicide.
1880 Galveston (Texas) Daily News 28 Sept. E. B. Kellar, rental agent, committed suicide to-day by morphine.
1919 Solicitors' Jrnl. 23 Aug. 767/2 A man, who had committed suicide by placing his head in a gas oven with the taps turned on.
1977 C. Thomas Firefox (1978) vi. 160 Any pilot who ran the risk of the Moscow defenses would be committing suicide—even in a plane that allows no radar trace.
2011 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 27 Oct. 47/3 (title) Drescher's book..demonstrated that abolishing the slave trade was comparable to committing economic suicide for an important part of Britain's economy.
P7. transitive (usually in passive). Law (chiefly British). to commit (a person) fully: to refer (a person) for trial; to imprison (a person) awaiting trial. Cf. to commit for (also to) trial at Phrases 8.
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1767 Public Advertiser 26 Jan. On Friday last she was re-examined at the Public-office in Bow-street, before the said Justice and others, and fully committed for one Offence.
1785 Gentleman's Mag. Aug. 442/1 He has been examined at the Public Office in Bow-Street, and fully committed to Newgate, in order to take his trial the next sessions at the Old-Bailey.
?1826 A. Knapp & W. Baldwin New Newgate Cal. (new ed.) V. 252 He was caught, carried before the sitting magistrate at Guildhall, and fully committed on three several charges.
1846 National Police Gaz. (U.S.) 25 July 389/1 Ann Henry, the keeper of a den of infamy and..one of her syrens, have been fully committed on the charge of robbing Townsend W. Hetherington.
1892 Green Bag Sept. 415/2 Pritchard was at once fully committed on the charge of having murdered both his wife and his mother-in-law.
1907 New London Jrnl. 6 Apr. 546/2 Nibbling Ned, after an examination at Bow-street on the following morning, was fully committed on the charge of the double murder.
1992 Herald (Glasgow) (Nexis) 12 Sept. 6 All three were fully committed on these charges yesterday.
2009 Scotsman (Nexis) 7 May [He] appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court where he was fully committed on charges of murder.
P8. transitive. Law (chiefly British). to commit for (also to) trial.
a. Originally: to imprison (a person) awaiting trial (cf. sense 4a). Now usually: to refer the case of (a person) to a court for trial.
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1774 H. Dagge Considerations Criminal Law (new ed.) II. iv. x. 295 Every prisoner committed for trial may be bailed in all cases not capital.
1798 Pocket Misc. 222 Having committed almost every crime of heinous die, the civil authority might have been justified in apprehending and committing them for trial at the next assizes.
1808 Edinb. Rev. Oct. 179 Those only committed for trial; those actually convicted; hardened and first offenders; the profligate and the evil-disposed; the innocent and the guilty, ought not to be mingled indiscriminately together.
1869 J. Greenwood Seven Curses London 201 A ruffian, committed for trial for garotting and nearly murdering a gentleman.
1916 Act 6 & 7 Geo. V c. 50 §38 He thinks it expedient in the interest of justice to commit him for trial before a court of quarter sessions.
1933 Times 7 Apr. 4/2 Committed to trial..on a charge of receiving 20 automatic ‘fruit’ machines..knowing them to be stolen.
1993 G. F. Newman Law & Order (rev. ed.) 292 They're keen down there to go ahead and get convictions for all four. Especially now they're all committed for trial.
2014 Belfast Tel. (Nexis) 12 Mar. 22 District Judge Mark Hamill committed him for trial at Downpatrick Crown Court and listed the case for arraignment on April 10.
b. To refer (a case) to a court for trial. Cf. sense 5b.
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1840 W. H. Sleeman Rep. Depredations committed by Thug Gangs 293 The remains of these bodies have been disinterred by the approvers, and the case committed to trial in the Court of the Agent Governor General.
1930 Official Gaz. Kenya 29 May 1045 The Attorney General shall be of opinion that there is in any case committed for trial any material or necessary witness for the prosecution or the defence who has not been bound over to give evidence [etc.].
1972 Times 20 May 3/7 I would very much like to see more work being committed for trial by the red judge.
2012 South Wales Echo (Nexis) 21 June 14 District Judge Bodfan Jenkins committed the case to Cardiff Crown Court for trial on July 3.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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