Word Direct Answers

What does "mission" mean?

Mission: 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.

Additional senses

  1. 2.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.
  2. 3.An assotiation or organization of missionaries; a station or residence of missionaries.
  3. 4.An organization for worship and work, dependent on one or more churches.
  4. 5.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.
  5. 6.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.
  6. 7.To send on a mission. [Mostly used in the form of the past participle.] Keats.

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