commissary

[ kom-uh-ser-ee ]
/ ˈkɒm əˌsɛr i /

noun, plural com·mis·sar·ies.

a store that sells food and supplies to the personnel or workers in a military post, mining camp, lumber camp, or the like.
a dining room or cafeteria, especially one in a motion-picture studio.
a person to whom some responsibility or role is delegated by a superior power; a deputy.
(in France) a police official, usually just below the police chief in rank.

Origin of commissary

1350–1400; Middle English commissarie (< Anglo-French) < Medieval Latin commissārius, equivalent to Latin commiss(us) (past participle of committere to commit) + -ārius -ary

OTHER WORDS FROM commissary

com·mis·sar·i·al [kom-i-sair-ee-uh l] /ˌkɒm ɪˈsɛər i əl/, adjective sub·com·mis·sar·i·al, adjective sub·com·mis·sar·y, noun, plural sub·com·mis·sar·ies.

Example sentences from the Web for commissary

British Dictionary definitions for commissary

commissary
/ (ˈkɒmɪsərɪ) /

noun plural -saries

US a shop supplying food or equipment, as in a military camp
US army an officer responsible for supplies and food
US a snack bar or restaurant in a film studio
a representative or deputy, esp an official representative of a bishop

Derived forms of commissary

commissarial (ˌkɒmɪˈsɛərɪəl), adjective commissaryship, noun

Word Origin for commissary

C14: from Medieval Latin commissārius official in charge, from Latin committere to entrust, commit