Etymology
mission + -ary, learned borrowing from Latin missiō, missiōnem (a sending, sending away, dispatching, discharging, release, remission, cessation).
Noun
missionary (countable and uncountable, plural missionaries)
- One who is sent on a mission.
- (religion) A person who travels attempting to spread a religion or creed (Particularly used in context of Christianity).
- Over thirty years ago when the pastor lived in Africa, the missionaries from Japan told him the ways of Unification thought.
Derived terms
- missionary bishop
- missionary linguist
- missionary rector
- missionary zeal
Adjective
missionary (not comparable)
- Relating to a (religious) mission.
Credits
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