Submission

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /səbˈmɪʃən/

Definitions

  1. The act of yielding to the authority or control of another person | The formal presentation of a document or proposal for consideration | The acceptance of a condition or situation without protest
  2. The act of conceding authority to another individual | The formal delivery of a manuscript or application for review | The acknowledgment of a situation or decision without resistance
  3. The process of accepting the dominance of someone else's will | The formal offering of a document for review or judgment | The acceptance of circumstances or agreements without opposition

Etymology: The noun in question traces back to the Latin verb "submittere," which is a compound of "sub-" meaning "under" and "mittere," meaning "to send" or "to let go." Literally, it conveyed the idea of "sending under" or "yielding beneath," a physical act that gradually took on a strong metaphorical sense. This Latin root evolved into "submissionem" in Late Latin, referring to the act of yielding or surrendering. Entering English usage around the late Middle Ages, the term initially held a concrete sense tied to military or social contexts, where one party yielded to the authority or control of another. Over time, it broadened to include not only physical yielding but also the more abstract idea of consenting or deferring to a higher power, rule, or standard. This shift mirrors the increasing influence of hierarchical and religious frameworks in medieval society, where submission carried moral and spiritual weight. In addition, the word’s journey through Old French as "submission" helped cement its place in English, as many Latin-based terms entered the language via Norman influence after 1066. The Old French retained the sense of "act of yielding" or "obedience," which was absorbed into English with little change in meaning initially. Interestingly, while the original image was quite physical—literally placing oneself under another’s power—the modern usage has extended to subtler domains, such as submitting documents or proposals, where the sense of yielding transforms into an act of offering or presenting for consideration. This evolution illustrates how the core concept of "sending under" has adapted from physical subjugation to various forms of deference or presentation.

Synonyms: compliance, surrender

Antonyms: defiance