Obs. In 6 Sc. -mess. [a. F. commis deputy, clerk, subst. use of commis, pa. pple. of commettre to COMMIT, appoint, employ:—L. commissus, f. committĕre. Commis is therefore one who is specially employed or commissioned.] A deputy, delegate, clerk; used chiefly of foreign officials.
1573. in T. Thomson, Inventories (1815), 187 (Jam.). I send to Servais wife and to his commess the pasmentar in the abbay, and causit thame graith me ane chalmer.
1697. D. Jones, Secr. Hist. Whitehall (1717), i. 1–2. I am not so pleased with my Preferment of being made Interpreter for the English Affairs, to the principal Commis or Clerk of the Dispatches,… as I am with the Thoughts of the Opportunity I have to serve your Lordship.
1779. Ld. Pembroke, Sp., in Ann. Reg. (1780), 129/1. This clerk in office, this commis contrary to all military establishments … was now a Lieutenant Colonel.
