remise: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareFormal / Technical
Quick answer
What does “remise” mean?
A repeated attack in fencing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A repeated attack in fencing; a second thrust made immediately after the first has been parried. Alternatively, a building for housing carriages, vehicles, or equipment.
In law, to give up or surrender (a claim, right, or property). In commerce, to send goods back to the original owner. In sports (like squash), to replay a point.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties recognize all meanings, but the legal/architectural senses are more likely in formal UK contexts. The fencing term is universal in that sport's terminology.
Connotations
In UK English, the 'carriage house' meaning (from French) carries a slight historical/upper-class connotation. The legal use is strictly technical.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday language in both regions, primarily confined to specific jargons (fencing, law, property).
Grammar
How to Use “remise” in a Sentence
[Subject] remise [Object] to [Recipient][Subject] remise [Claim/Right]to make a remiseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “remise” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The landlord agreed to remise his claim to the back rent.
- In a clever move, she parried and then instantly remised.
American English
- The defendant formally remised all rights to the disputed land.
- He lost the point because he failed to remise effectively.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
American English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in legalese regarding contract surrender: 'The party agreed to remise all future claims.'
Academic
Used in historical or legal studies discussing property transfer or fencing technique.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Specific to fencing (an action), law (a surrender), and architecture (a building type).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “remise”
- Using it as a common synonym for 'send' or 'return'.
- Pronouncing it /rɪˈmaɪz/ (like 'remix').
- Confusing its part of speech; it is primarily a verb or a noun, not an adjective.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare and used almost exclusively in specific technical fields like fencing, law, or historical architecture.
No, it would sound highly unnatural and archaic. Use 'return', 'send back', or 'give back' instead.
The most likely context for a modern learner is in the sport of fencing, where it describes a specific offensive action.
It is pronounced /rɪˈmiːz/, with the stress on the second syllable, rhyming with 'please'.
A repeated attack in fencing.
Remise is usually formal / technical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'RElease MISEry' – to give up a claim is to release yourself from the misery of a dispute. For fencing, remember 'REpeat the MISE' (a second attempt).
Conceptual Metaphor
RELINQUISHING IS HANDING OVER (legal). A SECOND CHANCE IS A QUICK RETURN (fencing).
Practice
Quiz
In a legal context, 'to remise' most closely means: