mission

mis·sion   (mĭsh'ən)    n.   A body of persons sent to conduct negotiations or establish relations with a foreign country. The business with which such a body of persons is charged. A permanent diplomatic office abroad. A body of experts or dignitaries sent to a foreign country. A body of persons sent to a foreign land by a religious organization, especially a Christian organization, to spread its faith or provide educational, medical, and other assistance. A mission established abroad. The district assigned to a mission worker. A building or compound housing a mission. An organization for carrying on missionary work in a territory. missions Missionary duty or work. A special assignment given to a person or group: an agent on a secret mission. A combat operation assigned to a person or military unit. An aerospace operation intended to carry out specific program objectives: a mission to Mars. A body of persons sent to a foreign land by a religious organization, especially a Christian organization, to spread its faith or provide educational, medical, and other assistance. A mission established abroad. The district assigned to a mission worker. A building or compound housing a mission. An organization for carrying on missionary work in a territory. missions Missionary duty or work. A special assignment given to a person or group: an agent on a secret mission. A combat operation assigned to a person or military unit. An aerospace operation intended to carry out specific program objectives: a mission to Mars. A Christian church or congregation with no cleric of its own that depends for support on a larger religious organization. A series of special Christian services for purposes of proselytizing. A welfare or educational organization established for the needy people of a district. A special assignment given to a person or group: an agent on a secret mission. A combat operation assigned to a person or military unit. An aerospace operation intended to carry out specific program objectives: a mission to Mars. An inner calling to pursue an activity or perform a service; a vocation. tr.v.   mis·sioned, mis·sion·ing, mis·sions To send on a mission. To organize or establish a religious mission among or in. adj.   Of or relating to a mission. Of or relating to a style of architecture or furniture used in the early Spanish missions of California. often Mission Of, relating to, or having the distinctive qualities of an early 20th-century style of plain, heavy, dark-stained wood furniture. [French, from Old French, from Latin missiō, missiōn-, from missus, past participle of mittere, to send off.] mis'sion·al adj.

Mission

Mis"sion\, n. [L. missio, fr. mittere, missum, to send: cf. F. mission. See Missile.]

1. The act of sending, or the state of being sent; a being sent or delegated by authority, with certain powers for transacting business; comission.

Whose glorious deeds, but in these fields of late, Made emulous missions' mongst the gods themselves. --Shak.

2. That with which a messenger or agent is charged; an errand; business or duty on which one is sent; a commission.

How to begin, how to accomplish best His end of being on earth, and mission high. --Milton.

3. Persons sent; any number of persons appointed to perform any service; a delegation; an embassy.

In these ships there should be a mission of three of the fellows or brethren of Solomon's house. --Bacon.

4. An assotiation or organization of missionaries; a station or residence of missionaries.

5. An organization for worship and work, dependent on one or more churches.

6. A course of extraordinary sermons and services at a particular place and time for the special purpose of quickening the faith and zeal participants, and of converting unbelievers. --Addis & Arnold.

7. Dismission; discharge from service. [Obs.]

Mission school. (a) A school connected with a mission and conducted by missionaries. (b) A school for the religious instruction of children not having regular church privileges.

Syn: Message; errand; commission; deputation.

mission