dismiss
UK[dɪsˈmɪs]US[dɪsˈmɪs]
v
To decide that something or someone is not important and not worth considering
v
To remove someone from their job, especially because they have done something wrong
v
To send someone away or allow them to leave
v
(in law) To state that a trial or legal case should be ended, usually because there is not enough evidence
Morpheme Breakdown
dis
miss
dis
away, apart
miss
send
Etymology
The word 'dismiss' entered English in the early 15th century from Medieval Latin 'dismissus', the past participle of 'dimittere', meaning 'to send away' or 'to discharge'. This Latin verb is itself a compound of the prefix 'dis-', denoting separation, and 'mittere', a foundational verb meaning 'to send'. The core semantic logic has remained remarkably consistent: the literal action of sending someone or something away evolved into the modern abstract meanings of rejecting an idea, terminating employment, or ending a proceeding. The legal sense of refusing to hear a case further extends this concept of sending a matter away from consideration.
Analysis
Structure: dis (away, apart) + miss (send)
The prefix 'dis-' is from Latin, meaning 'apart', 'asunder', 'away', or having a negative/reversing force. The root 'miss' is from the Latin verb 'mittere', meaning 'to send', 'to let go', or 'to throw'.
Examples
The committee chose to dismiss the proposal as impractical.
The manager had to dismiss the employee for repeated misconduct.
The judge ordered the bailiff to dismiss the court for the day.