Meaning of Word:
Remit generally refers to the act of sending or handing over something, typically money, as well as to the scope or range of responsibility or authority.
Definitions and Meaning in English:
- As a verb:
- To send money as payment or support (e.g., “Please remit payment by the due date”).
- To refer or send something to a person or place for further action (e.g., “The case was remitted to the lower court for review”).
- To cancel or forgive a debt or charge (e.g., “The bank decided to remit the fees”).
- To diminish or lessen in severity, usually in the context of a condition or punishment (e.g., “The judge remitted the sentence due to the defendant’s good behavior”).
- As a noun:
- The act of sending money or payment, often across distances (e.g., “The remittance was processed last week”).
- A portion of a responsibility or duty that is delegated to someone (e.g., “Her remit covers international projects”).
History and Origin:
“Remit” originates from the Latin remittere, meaning “to send back” or “to release.” This term evolved into Old French remettre, with meanings of returning or sending again, before entering the English language in the 14th century. Over time, the meaning expanded to include the cancellation or reduction of obligations, such as debt.
Detailed Explanation:
- Financial Context: In finance, “remit” is commonly used to describe sending money, particularly in international transactions or remittances from workers to their families.
- Legal Context: In legal terms, “remit” can refer to sending a case or decision back to a lower court or authority for further action.
- General Use: The verb can also mean to forgive, cancel, or reduce something, such as a fine, sentence, or debt.
- Scope of Responsibility: The noun form of “remit” can refer to a person’s duties or the scope of their authority, especially in professional or organizational contexts.
Example Sentences:
- She promised to remit the funds by the end of the week.
- The judge decided to remit the prison sentence, reducing it to probation.
- They will remit a portion of their income to charity every month.
- The committee will remit the issue to the board for further consideration.
- Please remit payment immediately to avoid late fees.
- The bank agreed to remit the interest charges on his account.
- His remit includes overseeing the marketing department’s budget.
- The matter was remitted to a lower court for retrial.
- The company has asked that all claims be remitted by Friday.
Synonyms with Short Explanation:
- Send: To dispatch or transmit something, especially money or documents, similar to remitting.
- Transfer: To move something from one person or place to another, often used in financial contexts.
- Forgive: To cancel or absolve, especially a financial obligation, akin to remitting a debt.
- Delegate: To assign responsibility, similar to defining someone’s remit in a professional setting.
- Submit: To present or send something for consideration or action, related to remitting documents or payments.
Related Words with Short Explanation:
- Remittance: The money or payment sent, often in the form of a transfer.
- Refund: A return of money, typically when a payment is canceled or an error occurs.
- Revoke: To officially cancel something, such as an offer or agreement, similar to remitting a penalty.
- Dismiss: To send away or remove from a position, sometimes used in relation to legal cases, like a case being remitted.
- Rescind: To cancel or revoke, especially in legal contexts, akin to remitting a decision or judgment.
More Matches with Short Explanation:
- Cancel: To annul or void something, such as a debt or charge, which could be remitted.
- Reduce: To lessen or diminish, especially in terms of charges, akin to remitting an obligation.
- Abolish: To formally end something, such as a fee, similar to remitting it.
- Transfer: Moving funds or assets, often used in the context of remitting payments or financial obligations.
- Pardon: To forgive or excuse, particularly in legal contexts where a sentence is remitted.
Antonyms:
- Collect: To gather or accumulate, opposite of remitting money or a debt.
- Impose: To enforce or require something, such as a fee or penalty, in contrast to remitting a charge.
- Retain: To keep or hold, especially when not sending or transferring something, like money.
- Accumulate: To gather over time, opposite of sending or remitting payments.
- Demand: To ask for something firmly, in contrast to remitting or forgiving an obligation.