Remises

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. A place where business activities are conducted or discussed, especially in the context of sharing or renting space
  2. Spaces that are assigned or used for particular business operations, often involving rental agreements
  3. Areas designated for business purposes, typically involving the usage or lease of facilities

Etymology: The noun "remises" is the plural form of "remise," a term that comes from the French word "remise," meaning "a letting go" or "a sending back." This French term itself derives from the verb "remettre," which means "to send back," "to put again," or "to deliver." The verb is composed of the prefix "re-" meaning "again" and "mettre," meaning "to put." The English adoption of "remise" occurred around the 16th century, initially entering the language via the specialized vocabulary of fencing. In fencing, a "remise" referred to the act of immediately renewing an attack after the first attempt failed, without withdrawing the arm. This usage captures the sense of "sending again" or "putting again" into motion, reflecting the original French meaning. Over time, the word broadened slightly in English to indicate a renewed effort or a follow-up move, but it remained largely confined to the context of combat or sport. Outside of fencing, "remise" also came to be used in legal and architectural contexts, particularly in British English, where it denotes a kind of outbuilding or storage space, such as a coach house or stable. This sense likely developed through the idea of a place where vehicles or goods are "put back" or stored, again echoing the root meaning tied to putting or sending back. The plural form "remises" thus naturally refers to multiple such renewed moves in fencing or multiple storage spaces, depending on context. The persistence of the term in these niche areas underscores how words borrowed from French into English during the Renaissance often retained specialized meanings linked to their original cultural or practical settings.

Synonyms: remises (legal term)