▪ I. remit, n.
(ˈriːmɪt, older rɪˈmɪt)
[f. the vb.]
† 1. Remission, pardon. Chiefly Sc. Obs. rare.
| 1423 Jas. I Kingis Q. cxcv, Quho sal be thare to pray for thy remyt? 1565–6 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 422 [He] hes alswa obtenit remit and discharge of the said deforcement. 1589 Ibid. IV. 388 A remitt for the said cryme. |
† 2. A reference from one part of a book to another. Obs. rare—1.
| 1688 Dallas Stiles Index, This Fourth Part is divided in four Branches..; and when any of them are in the First Part of the Work, there is a Remit to it, and the Page Cited. |
3. a. The consignment or reference of a matter to some other person or authority for settlement, esp. in Law, the transfer of a case from one court or judge to another, or to a judicial nominee. Chiefly Sc.
| 1719 Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 448 This day the Assembly met, and went through their ordinary business; many, many remits to the Commission. 1816 Scott Antiq. ii, Let there be no remits from the inner to the outer-house. 1833 Act 3 & 4 Will. IV, c. 46 §92 The amount..shall be ascertained by such magistrate..by means of a remit to persons of skill. 1880 Muirhead Gaius ii. §278 note, The procedure was..before the consul,..without any remit to a iudex. |
b. N.Z. An item submitted for consideration at a conference, etc.
| 1916 Maoriland Worker 12 July 4/7 Messrs. Hutchison and Harper moved that the Order Paper Committee put on a remit dealing with Conscription.—Carried. 1918 Conf. United Federation of Labor (N.Z.) 4/1 Mr. B. Martin moved the Auckland District Council remit: ‘That capitation to the National Executive from the District Councils under clause 12 be reduced to 3d per member.’ 1958 N.Z. Listener 5 Sept. 8/2 We might see that New Zealand would put a remit up to the International Board and it would be turned down. 1963 Manawatu Standard 9 Apr. 12/9 A Canterbury remit that the Government should appoint a Minister of Road Transport..could not meet with the general approval of the Associated Chambers of Commerce delegates in Rotorua. 1966 G. W. Turner Eng. Lang. in Austral. & N.Z. viii. 174 Policies of influential bodies are a good deal determined by remits from below. |
c. A set of instructions, a brief.
| 1963 Guardian 30 May 8/6 The remit given to Sir Gilbert Flemming, who is considering the possibility of the dispersal of Government departments. 1971 New Scientist 25 Feb. 407/2 The remit is essentially to produce a scenario of nutritional developments. 1973 M. Mackintosh King & Two Queens xv. 209 Your self-imposed remit in America was to find out..what he was covering up. 1977 Undercurrents June–July 12/3 The answer lies simply in the fact that the DHSS is a bureaucratic department which does not have the remit to support publications other than official government documents. |
▪ II. remit, v.
(rɪˈmɪt)
Also 4–6 remyt, 5–6 -mytte (5 -myght), 5–7 remitt(e.
[ad. L. remitt-ĕre, f. re- re- + mittĕre to send; cf. admit, commit, etc. In Eng. use the secondary senses appear earlier and are more prominent than the primary: cf. remission.]
I. trans.
1. To forgive or pardon (a sin, offence, etc.).
| c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints vii. (James less) 209 Lord, remyt þis gilt þam to. Ibid. xxx. (Theodora) 698 He hyr reconsalyt..& remyted hyre al hyr syne. c 1440 Gesta Rom. lxxviii. 399 (Add. MS.), Afterwarde the kyng made men to seke the queen,..and all that was done was remytte. 1503–4 Act 19 Hen. VII, c. 37 Preamble, It pleased your Highnesse..to pardone remitte & forgyve unto your seid Subgiect all the seid Mesprisions. 1535 Coverdale John xx. 23 Whose synnes soeuer ye remytte they are remytted vnto them. 1608 Hieron Wks. I. 695 Bee pleased..for His sake to remit my former vngratefulnesse. 1708 J. Chamberlayne St. Gt. Brit. i. iii. viii. 254 The English being easily to be reconciled, to pardon and remit Offences. 1823 Scott Peveril xl, Your Majesty was pleased to remit his more outrageous and insolent attempt upon your royal crown. 1884 A. R. Pennington Wiclif ix. 297 It is impossible for the priest to remit the sins of any unless they are first remitted by Christ. |
† b. To spare, pardon, or forgive (a person).
| 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 78 He wolde not his prelate to shewe ony mercy on hym, nor to remyt or spare hym in ony thynge. 1549 Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. John 44 For God remitteth not hym that forgeueth not his brother. 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. ii. (1882) 13 Can man pardon or remit him whom God doth condemne? 1633 Bp. Hall Hard Texts, N.T. 79 Bee comforted in God who hath remitted thee. |
† 2. To give up, resign, surrender (a right or possession). Obs.
| c 1450 Godstow Reg. (E.E.T.S.) 42 Milo Basset remitted and furthermore quyte-claymed..to the abbesse of Godestowe.., all the right and clayme that he had. 1472–3 Rolls of Parlt. VI. 6/1 That it may please youre seid Highnes..to remitte and release..to us..all youre right. 1588 Shakes. L.L.L. v. ii. 459 Qu. Will you haue me, or your Pearle againe? Ber. Neither of either, I remit both twaine. 1647–8 Sir C. Cotterell Davila's Hist. Fr. (1678) 12 He was led..to remit his whole authority into the hands of allies. 1654 tr. Scudery's Curia Pol. 96 If Queen Elizabeth had not believed..she would not have..remitted her Scepter to my hands. 1670 Dryden Tyran. Love iii. i, Th' ægyptian Crown I to your hands remit. |
3. To abstain from exacting (a payment or service of any kind); to allow to remain unpaid (or unperformed).
| 1463 Rolls of Parlt. V. 498/2 To pardon and remitte unto the seid Commons the seid vi M li. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 60 It is reason that the lordes remit some part therof [sc. rent]. c 1645 Howell Lett. (1713) 16 All this his Majesty remitted, and only took the Principal. a 1661 Fuller Worthies (1840) II. 508 The Queen..rigorously demanded the present payment of some arrears which Sir Christopher did not hope to have remitted. 1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome vi. 109 She remitted the Arrears that were owing. 1783 Burke Rep. Aff. India Wks. 1842 II. 18/1 They remit, by the like authority, the duties, to which all private trade is subject. 1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India I. iii. iv. 575 The rents of the husbandman, and other taxes, were remitted. 1863 Fawcett Pol. Econ. iii. iii. 323 Let it be assumed that every farmer has the rent of his farm remitted for the next thirty years. |
b. To refrain from inflicting (a punishment) or carrying out (a sentence); to withdraw, cancel; to grant remission of (suffering).
| 1483 Rolls of Parlt. VI. 250/2 Oure said soveraigne Lorde..remitteth and woll forbere the greate punysshement of atteynder. 1553 T. Wilson Rhet. 15 b, The whole citie thought to remitte the necessitie of his punishment for the honour of his father. 1616 R. C. Times' Whistle iv. 1344 The officer deputed for th' offence Will winck at smale faultes & remit correction. 1693 Luttrell Brief Rel. (1857) III. 118 The queen remitted the quartering of his body. 1754 Sherlock Disc. I. i. 46 God may freely forgive the Sins of the World, and remit the Punishment. 1807 Crabbe Hall of Just. 3 Remit awhile the harsh command. 1841 James Brigand xxxiii, We come to beseech you to remit the sentence of this unhappy young gentleman. 1857 Buckle Civiliz. I. xii. 673 The exile which followed the imprisonment seems to have been soon remitted. 1868 Browning Ring & Bk. vi. 127 How does lenity to me Remit one death-bed pang to her? |
c. To exempt from confiscation. rare—1.
| 1741 Middleton Cicero I. ii. 104 Verres for a valuable consideration sometimes remitted the ship. |
d. To allow as a respite. rare—1.
| 1813 Byron Corsair ii. xiv, I will, at least, delay The sentence that remits thee scarce a day. |
† 4. To discharge, set free, release, liberate (a person). Also const. of, to. Obs.
| 1467–8 Rolls of Parlt. V. 576/1 To be remitted, acquited or discharged of eny somme or sommes of money. a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VIII 169 b, Wee clerely remitted, and deliuered hym into his countrey. 1575 R. B. Appius & Virg. D j b, If treason none by me be done, or any fault committed, Let my accusers beare the blame, and let me be remitted. 1634 Garrard in Strafford's Lett. (1739) I. 373 Mr. Seldon is remitted of those Fetters that lay upon him. 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. vi. §35 His Lordship was committed to the Tower..; and though he was afterwards remitted to more Air, he continued a Prisoner to his death. |
II. 5. To give up, lay aside (anger, displeasure, etc.) entirely or in part.
| c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints vii. (James less) 635 Þare-for his malancoly to þat man he remyttyte þare. 1393–4 Rolls of Parlt. III. 314/1 Hit forthynketh me, and byseche yowe of your gode Lordship to remyt me your mautalent. 1413 Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton 1483) i. xxvii. 31 This blessid lord Ihesu Crist remitted his rigour, descending downe to the erthe. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 317 b, I beseche him to remit all displeasure. 1577 Hanmer Anc. Eccl. Hist. (1619) 180 [He] would not thus much have remitted his tyranny, had he not been compelled. 1667 Milton P.L. ii. 210 Our Supream Foe in time may much remit His anger. 1761 Hume Hist. Eng. I. App. ii. 258 That he would remit his displeasure. 1820 Shelley Œd. Tyr. ii. ii. 99 Remit, O Queen! thy accustomed rage! |
b. To give up or give over, abandon, desist from (a pursuit, occupation, etc.).
| 1587 R. Hovenden in Collect. (O.H.S.) I. 220 The Ladi Stafford was resolved to remyt hir suite. 1608 Willet Hexapla Exod. 60 They..caused them to remit their workes. 1687 Lady R. Russell Lett. I. li. 123 It seems I must remit seeing you, as you once kindly intended. 1726 Pope Odyss. xxiv. 286 Who digging round the plant still hangs his head, Nor ought remits the work. 1880 Kinglake Crimea VI. vi. 159 Engaged..in a siege which they could not remit. |
6. To allow (one's diligence, attention, etc.) to slacken or abate.
| c 1510 More Picus Wks. 15/1 Ye shall not think, that my trauaile and diligence in study is any thing remitted or slacked. 1590 Marlowe Edw. II, ii. v, He that the care of his realm remits [etc.]. 1742–3 Ld. Hervey in Johnson's Debates (1787) II. 409 To make the attainment of it more and more difficult, that they may insensibly remit their ardour. 1780 Johnson Let. to Mr. Thrale 30 May, Do not remit your care. 1803 M. Edgeworth Manuf. ii. (1832) 101, I have never remitted my attention to business. 1827 Hallam Const. Hist. (1876) I. iii. 143 Nor did the voluntary exiles established in Flanders remit their diligence in filling the kingdom with emissaries. |
b. To admit or manifest an abatement of some quality. ? Obs.
| 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. i. i. i. i, When he..remembred that he was but a man, and remitted of his pride. 1628 Hobbes Thucyd. (1822) 8 To try if the Athenians..would yet in some degree remit of their obstinacy. 1702 Eng. Theophrast. 342 The strongest passions sometimes remit of their violence. 1775 S. J. Pratt Liberal Opin. v. (1783) I. 84 At the end of about two months, the severity of my fate began to remit of its rigour. |
c. To mitigate, diminish, or abate. ? Obs.
| 1615 G. Sandys Trav. 39 Stiffe winter which no spring remits. 1656 Ridgley Pract. Physick 316 When the heat, pain, Feaver are remitted. 1658 Rowland tr. Moufet's Theat. Ins. 979 The light by little and little is remitted and slackned. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 17 ¶5 Every man has experienced how much of this ardour has been remitted, when a sharp..sickness has set death before his eyes. |
† 7. To relax, relieve from tension. Obs.
| c 1510 Barclay Mirr. Gd. Manners (1570) D j, Ceasse not, perseuer, knock & stande, Remitte not thine armes by knocking fatigate. 1668 Culpepper & Cole Barthol. Anat. ii. iii. 92 When the Breath is drawn in the Midriff is stretched, when it is blowne out, it is remitted or slackned. a 1676 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. i. i. (1677) 29 'Tis by this..the Lungs are intended or remitted. 1711 tr. Werenfelsius' Logomachys, Disc. Meteors Stile 192 Let the Judgement..sometimes remit, and sometimes contract the Reins. |
III. 8. To refer (a matter) for consideration, decision, performance, etc., to a person or body of persons, now usu. to one specially empowered or appointed to deal with it; also spec. in Law, to send back (a case) to an inferior court.
| c 1400 Mandeville (1839) xxxi. 315 Oure holy Fadir..remytted my Boke to ben examyned and preved be the Avys of the seyd Conseille. 1455 Paston Lett. I. 321 Wheche mater I remytte..to youre ryght wyse discrecion. 1484 Caxton Fables of Alfonce ix, They remytted the cause to be discuted or pleted before the Juge. 1523 Fitzherb. Husb. §7 The spirytuall constructyon of this texte, I remytte to the doctours of dyuynitie. 1586 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. i. (1594) 514 Let them remit the judgement and deciding of their controversies to the arbitrement of some good men. 1654 tr. Martini's Conq. China 14 He remitted the business to the chief Governors and Commanders. 1762 Foote Orators i. Wks. 1799 I. 203 We shall..remit the examination of the ignoble ones to the care of subaltern artists. 1863 P. Barry Dockyard Econ. 59 The task and job question was remitted to the Commissioners on the Civil Affairs of the Navy. 1884 Law Times Rep. L. 174/1 The defendants gave notice of their motion to set aside and remit the report [of the special referee]. |
| absol. 1838 W. Bell Dict. Law Scot. 52 The circuit judge..may recall the judgment appealed from, and remit to the inferior court with instructions. |
b. To send (a person) from one tribunal to another for trial or hearing. rare.
| 1538 Starkey England ii. ii. 190 At London the jugys schold admyt non in sute, but such only as, for some resonabul cause, were remyttyd to them by the gentylmen of the scyre. 1740 Howe in Johnson's Debates (1787) I. 31 If we remit this offender..to any inferior court [etc.]. |
† c. To commit (a person) to the charge or control of another. Also refl. Obs.
| 1681–6 J. Scott Chr. Life (1747) III. 126 God..wholly remitted his People to the Conduct of the Priests and Levites. 1741 Richardson Pamela (1883) I. 407 As he knew best what befitted his own rank and condition, I would wholly remit myself to his good pleasure. |
† d. refl. = refer v. 5. Obs. rare—1.
| 1674 Govt. Tongue 18, I dare in this remit me to themselves, and challenge..their natural ingenuity to say [etc.]. |
9. To refer (one) to a book, person, etc., for information on some point.
| 1417 Hen. V in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. iii. I. 62 We remitte hem to have ful declaracion and verrai knaweleche of you in that matere. c 1425 Wyntoun Cron. ii. 1346 (Wemyss MS.), Gif ȝe of þat thing mare will wit, To Ovidis buke I ȝow remytt. 1533 More Debell. Salem Pref., Wks. 931/1 And some suche places yet as I had happed to finde, I haue remitted the reader vnto in myne apologye. 1590 Sir J. Smyth Disc. Weapons 49 To the particularities whereof..I remit those that are disposed to see and consider. 1650 Fuller Pisgah ii. iv. 113 Well might profane persons be remitted to this river, thereby to be instructed in the Sabbaths due observation. 1714 Ellwoods' Autobiog. Pref., Much of this being already done in the ensuing Pages, I chuse to remit the Reader thither. 1769 Robertson Chas. V, vii. III. 16 The Emperor..without deigning to answer a single word, remitted him to his ministers. 1835–8 S. R. Maitland Dark Ages (1844) 156 Let us hear Du Cange, to whom Robertson remits us. |
| ellipt. c 1410 Master of Game (MS. Digby 182) x, Of þe remenaunt of his nature I remytte to Milbournn þe kynges Otyr hunter. 1523 Fitzherb. Husb. Prol., I remytte [? to] that boke as myn auctour therof. |
† b. To direct (one) to a task. Obs. rare—1.
| 1544 Supplic. Hen. VIII (1871) 51 Remyttynge byshops to attende their offyce and vocacyon by God..appoynted. |
10. a. To send (a person) back to prison, or to other custody; to recommit. Now rare.
| 1414 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 57/2 Whan I was remitted to the Prison of Flete. 1474 Ibid. VI. 103/1 The seid Chaunceller there remitted the seid Thomas Buysshop ageyn. 1653 Ld. Vaux tr. Godeau's St. Paul 300 The Captain..remitted him, with the rest of his prisoners, into the hands of the Prefect of the Pretorium. 1700 Dryden Sigism. & Guisc. 287 The prisoner was remitted to the guard. 1827 Hallam Const. Hist. (1876) I. vii. 383 Whether such a return was sufficient in law to justify the court in remitting the parties to custody. |
† b. To send in return; to send back. Obs. rare.
| 1461 Paston Lett. II. 67 Remitte me summe letter, by the bringer her of, of all thes maters. 1660 F. Brooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 113 He gave them freedom, and remitted them ransomlesse, sent them all back again. |
† c. To emit or send out again. Obs. rare—1.
| 1700 Dryden Ovid's Met. xv. 522 Whether Earth's an Animal, and Air Imbibes; her Lungs with coolness to repair, and what she sucks remits. |
11. † a. Law. To restore to a former and more valid title: see remitter2 1. Obs.
| 1544 tr. Littleton's Tenures 141 In so much the wyfe is in her remytter, he is remitted to his reuercion. 1632 Womens Rights xix. 156 The eldest daughter is remitted, that is remaunded and setled in the ancient estate. 1768 Blackstone Comm. III. ii. 21 If the issue in tail be barred by the fine..of his ancestor, and the freehold is afterwards cast upon him; he shall not be remitted to his estate tail. |
b. To put back into, to admit or consign again to a previous position, state, or condition.
| 1591 Spenser M. Hubberd 1254 He bad the Lyon be remitted Into his seate. 1642 Fuller Holy & Prof. St. ii. xxii. 142 Thus his indiscretion remitted him to the nature of an ordinary person. 1654 Earl of Monmouth tr. Bentivoglio's Warrs Flanders 186 It was a long while ere it [the city] could be remitted into its former condition. 1671 Milton Samson 687 Nor only dost [thou] degrade them, or remit To life obscur'd which were a fair dismission. 1761 New Comp. Fest. & Fasts xxxvi. §2. 353 When death..is making his near approach to.. remit us to darkness and oblivion. 1863 Bright Sp., Amer. 30 June (1876) 142 You propose to remit to slavery three millions of negroes. |
12. To postpone, to put off or defer.
| 1635 J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Banish'd Virg. 166 Willingly would hee have knowne then presently the story..but..he remitted it till after supper. 1663 Gerbier Counsel 62 Remitting setting of walls untill the next Spring after. 1769 Goldsm. Hist. Rome (1786) II. 25 The conspirators..remitted the execution of their design to the ides of March. 1786 Jefferson Writ. (1859) I. 511 We remitted all further discussion till he should send me a copy of his letter. 1836 J. Gilbert Chr. Atonem. iii. (1852) 73 We must for the present remit our reply to that part of our subject. |
† b. To defer the reception of (a person). Obs.—1
| 1663 H. Cogan tr. Pinto's Trav. xliv. 175, I hold it fit to remit him unto some other time, when as he may be better acquainted. |
13. To refer, assign, or make over to a thing or person.
| 1641 Vind. Smectymnuus vi. 78 That which Hierome speakes in the present tense..he would remit to time past. 1720 Waterland Answ. Whitby's Reply 58 You..object farther..that Christ would not suffer Himself to be called Good, but remitted that Title to the Father only. 1788 Reid Aristotle's Log. iv. §6. 89 He thinks that the doctrine of modals ought to be banished out of logic and remitted to grammar. 1837 G. Phillips Syriac Gram. 9 The vowel in such places is remitted to the preceding letter, if it has been previously without one. |
† b. To enter or insert in (or into) a book. Obs.
| c 1670 Wood Life (O.H.S.) II. 204 This book he gave A. W. because he had, in his great reading, collected some old words for his use, which were remitted therein. 1716 M. Davies Athen. Brit. II. 219 Which Examinations..were..remitted by John Fox into his Book of Martyrs. |
14. To send or transmit (money or articles of value) to a person or place.
| 1640 Howell Dodona's Gr. 98 [He] makes one of her proudest Cities his Scale, for remitting his Moneyes to Leoncia. 1690 in J. Mackenzie Siege London-Derry 54/1 You are to receive and dispose of the Thousand pounds which shall be remitted to you, to the best advantage. 1758 Johnson Idler No. 62 ¶4 We parted; and he remitted me a small annuity. 1787 Jefferson Writ. (1859) II. 149 This has prevented the treasury board from remitting any money to this place. 1840 Macaulay Ess., Clive (1852) III. 61 He had recently remitted a great part of his fortune to Europe, through the Dutch East India Company. 1861 Goschen For. Exch. 91 Was it probable..that in a time of great national emergency the New York bankers would remit their capital for employment to Europe..? |
| absol. 1682 [see remitted, below]. 1705 Addison Italy 471 They oblig'd themselves to remit, after the rate of Twelve Hundred Thousand Pounds Sterling per Annum. 1809 Byron Let. to Mrs. Byron 12 Nov., I expect Hanson to remit regularly. |
IV. intr.
15. To abate, diminish, slacken.
| 1629 Drayner Conf. (1647) C, The whole masse of waters continue upon the face of the Fenne till those windes remit. 1643 Milton Divorce (1645) 39 The vigor of his Law could no more remit, then the hallowed fire on his altar could be let go out. 1695 Woodward Nat. Hist. Earth iv. 198 Till such time as its motion begins to remit and be less rapid. 1770 Goldsm. Des. Vill. 16 How often have I blest the coming day, When toil remitting lent its turn to play. 1850 L. Hunt Autobiog. I. viii. 309 The fishermen's wives..seemed equally determined not to let the intention remit. 1870 Bryant Iliad II. xiii. 23 Meantime the valor of Idomeneus Remitted not. |
b. of pain, fever, etc. Also in fig. context.
| 1685 tr. Willis' Lond. Pract. Physick 533 If upon sore Lips the Fever does not remit, it will prove of long continuance and severe. 1737 Whiston Josephus, Antiq. ii. iii. §4 Neither did his pains remit by length of time. 1747 tr. Astruc's Fevers 195 The fever thus treated, remits generally towards the sixth or seventh day. 1783 Johnson Let. in Boswell 30 Sept., I have been..much harassed with the gout; but that has now remitted. 1887 Pall Mall G. 17 Feb. 13/2 The ‘Otello’ fever at Milan seems at last a little inclined to remit. |
16. To relax from labour; to give over.
| 1760–72 H. Brooke Fool of Qual. (1809) I. 84 They remitted from their toil. 1841 Emerson Ess., Man the Reformer Wks. (Bohn) II. 240 Their enemies will not remit; rust, mould, vermin..all seize their own. |
Hence reˈmitted ppl. a.
| 1682 J. Scarlett Exchanges 65 Every Remitter that remits not directly, but designs to draw in the remitted Sum again [etc.]. a 1700 Ken Hymnotheo Poet. Wks. 1721 III. 130 The happy symptons of remitted sin. 1896 H. De Windt New Siberia iv. 59 There is also a graduated scale of what are called remitted sentences. 1897 Westm. Gaz. 13 Apr. 2/1 But it is not merely in respect of these remitted actions that the County Courts have weighty and important functions. |