mission

MIS'SION, noun [Latin missio, from mitto, to send.] 1. A sending or being sent, usually the latter; a being sent or delegated by authority, with certain powers for transacting business; commission; as sent on a foreign mission How to begin, how to accomplish best His end of being on earth, and mission high. 2. Persons sent; any number of persons appointed by authority to perform any service; particularly, the persons sent to propagate religion, or evangelize the heathen. The societies for propagating the gospel have missions in almost every country. Last week a mission sailed for the Sandwich isles. We have domestic missions and foreign missions. 3. Dismission; discharge from service; a Roman use of the word; in English, obsolete. 4. Faction; party. [Not in use.]