commis

[ kaw-mee; English kuh-mee ]

noun

, French.

, plural com·mis [kaw-, mee, k, uh, -, meez].

1. an assistant, especially to a chef.

commis

/ ˈkɒmɪs; ˈkɒmɪ /

noun

1. an agent or deputy

adjective

1. (of a waiter or chef) apprentice

Word History and Origins

Origin of commis¹

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

Example Sentences

He copied steadily in his beautiful commis voyageur handwriting until two o'clock.

From Project Gutenberg

The third of the commis voyageurs, the gentle one, made large eyes and was terrified that he was going to be sick.

From Project Gutenberg

"Follow the commis-voyageur in France and dine well (and cheaply)" might readily be the motto of all travellers in France.

From Project Gutenberg

The commis happened to remark, that he thought Bonaparte's career was nearly finished, and that he would meet his fate presently.

From Project Gutenberg

He was one of the class known in England as "Commys," and so obnoxious in France as commis-voyageurs.

From Project Gutenberg