commend

[kuh-mend] /kəˈmɛnd/
verb (used with object)
1.
to present, mention, or praise as worthy of confidence, notice, kindness, etc.; recommend:
to commend a friend to another; to commend an applicant for employment.
2.
to entrust; give in charge; deliver with confidence:
I commend my child to your care.
3.
to cite or name with approval or special praise:
to commend a soldier for bravery.
4.
Feudal Law. to place (oneself or one's land) under another's protection so as to become his vassal.
5.
Archaic. to recommend (a person) to the kind remembrance of another.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English commenden < Latin commendāre, equivalent to com- com- + -mendāre, combining form of mandāre; see mandate
Related forms
commendable, adjective
commender, noun
commendingly, adverb
overcommend, verb (used with object)
subcommended, adjective
well-commended, adjective
Can be confused
commendable, commendatory.
Synonyms
1. acclaim, laud, extol. See approve. 2. commit, consign, relegate, convey.
Antonyms
1. censure.
Examples from the web for commend
  • So, many of us commend you for opening up in a book and discussing your personal grief.
  • It has nothing to commend it other than the mindless activity of a slime mold or fungus growing on a dead tree.
British Dictionary definitions for commend

commend

/kəˈmɛnd/
verb (transitive)
1.
to present or represent as being worthy of regard, confidence, kindness, etc; recommend
2.
to give in charge; entrust
3.
to express a good opinion of; praise
4.
to give the regards of: commend me to your aunt
Derived Forms
commendable, adjective
commendableness, noun
commendably, adverb
commendatory, adjective
Word Origin
C14: from Latin commendāre to commit to someone's care, from com- (intensive) + mandāre to entrust
Word Origin and History for commend
v.

mid-14c., comenden, from Latin commendare "to commit to the care or keeping (of someone), to entrust to; to commit to writing;" hence "to set off, render agreeable, praise," from com-, intensive prefix (see com-), + mandare "to commit to one's charge" (see mandate (n.)). In some senses, a shortening of recommend. Related: Commended; commending.