Lewis & Short

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missĭo, ōnis, f. [mitto].

  1. I. In gen., a letting go, sending away, a sending, despatching; a throwing, hurling (class.): litterarum, Cic. Att. 1, 5, 3: legatorum, id. Phil. 7, 1, 1: extra telorum missionem, beyond the range of missiles, Vitr. 2, 9, 16; 1, 5, 4: missio sanguinis, blood-letting, Cels. 2, 10 fin.; Suet. Calig. 29.
  2. II. In partic.
    1. A. A release from captivity, setting at liberty, liberation: munus pro missione dare, Cic. Tusc. 1, 48, 114: si filius familias post missionem faciat testimentum, Gai. Inst. 2, 106.
    2. B. A discharge from service (of soldiers, office-holders, gladiators, etc.), a dismission (syn. exauctoratio): praemium missionis ferre, Caes. B. C. 1, 86: quibus (militibus) senatus missionem reditumque in patriam negāsset ante belli finem. Liv. 26, 1: exercitum purgare missionibus turbulentorum hominum, id. 7, 39; cf.: missionum generales causae sunt tres: honesta, causaria, ignominiosa. Honesta est, quae tempore militiae impleto datur: causaria cum quis vitio animi vel corporis minus idoneus militiae renunciatur; ignominiosa causa est, cum quis propter delictum sacramento solvitur, Dig. 49, 16, 13: gratiosa ante emerita stipendia, a discharge obtained by favor, Liv. 43, 14, 9: nondum justa, id. 43, 14, 15.
      Of a quaestor, Suet. Caes. 7.
    3. C. Esp., of gladiators, release, respite, quarter: cum Myrino peteretur missio laeso, Mart. 12, 29, 7: non enim servavit is, qui non interfecit, nec beneficium dedit, sed missionem, Sen. Ben. 2, 20, 3.
      Hence, sine missione, without favor, without quarter, to the death, Liv. 41, 20, 12.
      Trop.: quid prodest, paucos dies aut annos lucrificare? sine missione nascimur, without respite in the service of wisdom, Sen. Ep. 37, 2: sine missione pugnatum est, for life or death, Flor. 3, 20, 4.
    4. D. A cessation, termination, end: ante ludorum missionem, Cic. Fam. 5, 12, 8.
    5. E. Remission from punishment: missionem puero dedit, qs. let him go, Petr. 52.
  3. F. In jurid. lang., a delivering up, giving possession: missio in aedes, Dig. 39, 2, 15, § 12.