demission
C2/RareFormal, Historical, Legal
Definition
Meaning
The formal act of resigning or giving up an office, position, or trust.
A handing over or relinquishing of responsibility, power, or authority; an abdication.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun referring to the act of resignation itself, not the document. It's a higher-register alternative to 'resignation', often carrying connotations of a solemn or weighty abdication of duty, especially in historical, religious, or constitutional contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Virtually no difference in meaning. The word is extremely rare in both varieties. It may appear slightly more often in British texts relating to historical or ecclesiastical matters.
Connotations
Equally formal and archaic in both. No distinct connotative differences between UK and US usage.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both corpora, bordering on obsolete in general use. Found primarily in historical documents, formal legal/religious contexts, or literary works.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N + of + N (demission of authority)N + from + N (demission from the throne)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hand in one's demission”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used hyper-formally for a CEO or board member's resignation.
Academic
Used in historical or political science texts discussing abdications of monarchs or popes.
Everyday
Virtually never used. 'Resignation' is universal.
Technical
Can appear in legal or ecclesiastical documents describing the formal surrender of an office.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The archbishop was prevailed upon to demit his see.
- He will formally demit his office next quarter.
American English
- The CEO agreed to demit her position following the merger.
- The senator demitted his chairmanship.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- After the scandal, his demission was accepted by the board.
- The king's demission of the throne plunged the country into a constitutional crisis.
- Her letter of demission cited personal reasons for her departure.
- The papal demission in 2013 was a historic event that few had anticipated.
- The committee required his formal demission before they could begin the process of selecting a successor.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DEMISSION sounds like 'dismiss myself' – the act of dismissing oneself from a position.
Conceptual Metaphor
HOLDING IS CONTROLLING / RELINQUISHING IS LETTING GO (to demit is to let go of control).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'демиссия' (a non-existent word).
- Not 'увольнение' (dismissal by others) but 'отставка' (voluntary resignation).
- Beware of false cognate with 'mission' – it is unrelated.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (the verb is 'demit', which is even rarer).
- Confusing it with 'dismissal' (which is passive/fired).
- Using it in casual contexts where 'resignation' is appropriate.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'demission' MOST likely to be found?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Demission' is a formal, often historical or legal synonym for 'resignation'. It carries a more solemn, weighty connotation and is extremely rare in everyday speech.
No. 'Demission' implies a voluntary act of giving up a position. 'Dismissal' is the term for being fired or removed by others.
No, it is very rare (C2 level). Learners should be aware of its meaning but will almost always use 'resignation' in active vocabulary.
The corresponding verb is 'demit' (e.g., 'to demit office'), but it is even rarer than the noun and largely confined to formal or historical contexts.
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