Mittere

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

  1. To send something, especially in the context of allowing it to go forth or letting it escape
  2. To dispatch or release an item or message, particularly in a formal or systematic manner
  3. To enable the act of sending forth an idea, object, or communication to a recipient or destination

Etymology: The Latin verb "mittere" carries the fundamental meaning of "to send," a concept deeply embedded in the culture and communication of the ancient Romans. This verb was central to the Roman world, where messages, envoys, and goods were frequently dispatched across vast distances of the empire. The practical necessity of sending—whether letters, soldiers, or messengers—made "mittere" a common and versatile verb in Latin literature and daily life. Etymologically, "mittere" is rooted in the Proto-Indo-European "mī- or "mei-, which also meant "to send" or "to set in motion." From this base, the word developed in Latin to cover a range of related actions—sending a letter, casting a spear, letting go of something, or even allowing to happen. These nuances reveal a semantic field centered on releasing or dispatching from one place to another. The verb entered English vocabulary indirectly through Latin's influence on Romance languages and scholarly Latin usage. Its legacy is most visible in numerous English derivatives such as "transmit," "submit," "permit," and "emit," all of which incorporate the root idea of sending or allowing movement. The suffixes combined with the root have shaped the precise meanings: for example, "submit" (literally "send under") implies yielding or surrendering, while "emit" (from "e-" meaning "out" plus "mittere") means to send out, such as light or sound. "mittere" appeared in classical Latin texts from as early as the 3rd century BCE, found in the works of Cicero and Caesar, among others. Its flexibility made it a staple verb, adaptable to various contexts from military orders to poetic imagery. The endurance of the root in so many modern English words underscores the lasting influence of Latin on English vocabulary, especially in domains of communication, authority, and movement.

Synonyms: send, dispatch, transmit, forward, convey

Antonyms: receive, keep, retain