commissary

[kom-uh-ser-ee]

noun

plural

commissaries 

1. a store that sells food and supplies to the personnel or workers in a military post, mining camp, lumber camp, or the like.

2. a dining room or cafeteria, especially one in a motion-picture studio.

3. a person to whom some responsibility or role is delegated by a superior power; a deputy.

4. (in France) a police official, usually just below the police chief in rank.

5. commissar.

commissary

/ ˈkɒmɪsərɪ, ˌkɒmɪˈsɛərɪəl /

noun

1. a shop supplying food or equipment, as in a military camp

2. army an officer responsible for supplies and food

3. a snack bar or restaurant in a film studio

4. a representative or deputy, esp an official representative of a bishop

Other Word Forms

• commissarial adjective
• subcommissarial adjective
• subcommissary noun
• commissaryship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of commissary¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of commissary¹

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

Example Sentences

“Cash for the commissary, are you mad? I asked for rolls and coffee, not a jewel-encrusted egg! Don’t you know who we are? We are the Babushkinovs! Our name is all the credit we need!”

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Their extra room became the commissary, to use an old Hollywood term.

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The “kitty” is then resold, creating a secondary market within the jails that is cheaper than the commissary.

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Hourlong lines to buy food at the commissary or to make a phone call.

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In Hollywood, studios tended to lay claim to nearby restaurants almost as extensions of their own commissaries, with cocktail privileges.

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