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commis

American  
[kaw-mee, kuh-mee] / kɔˈmi, kəˈmi /

noun

French.

plural

commis
  1. an assistant, especially to a chef.


commis British  
/ ˈkɒmɪ, ˈkɒmɪs /

noun

  1. an agent or deputy

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. (of a waiter or chef) apprentice

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of commis

C16 (meaning: deputy): from French, from commettre to employ, commit

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The sale of each box of 12 includes a one-year membership in the Foundation at the commis level, which allows access to recipes and cooking videos with Mr. Pépin and other chefs.

From New York Times • Oct. 11, 2021

His commis, or helper, was Harrison Turone, 21, from Omaha, who also worked at Per Se.

From New York Times • Jan. 25, 2017

Stover, the restaurant's chef de partie, served as Tessier's commis.

From Chicago Tribune • Jan. 28, 2015

Philip Tessier, 35, Executive Sous Chef at The French Laundry in Yountville, Calif., will be assisted by his commis Skylar Stover, 22, who also works in the kitchen there.

From Time • Jan. 26, 2015

"Oui, monsieur," lui dit le commis, "la voilà."

From Tales and Novels — Volume 04 by Edgeworth, Maria