Etymology From Middle English commenden, from Old French comender, from Latin commendō (“commend, entrust to, commit, recommend”), from com- + mandō (“to commit, intrust, enjoin”), from manus (“hand”) + dō (“to put”). Doublet of command.
1
To congratulate or reward.
The schoolboy was commended for raising the alarm about the burning building.
2
To praise or acclaim.
The new law has little to commend it: it even worsens the legal certainty of the nation.
1485 – Thomas Malory. Le Morte Darthur, Book X, Chapter xliiij, leaf 242v Thenne Quene Gueneuer commended hym and soo dyd alle other good knyghtes made moche of hym excepte sire Gawayns bretheren / "Then Queen Guenever commended him, and so did all other good knights make much of him, except Sir Gawaine’s brethren."
1 more example
Segrais on this Subject of a Heroe's ſhedding Tears, obſerves that Hiſtorians commend Alexander for weeping, when he read the mighty Actions of Achilles.1697, Virgil, “[Dedication of the Æneis]”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, page [166]:
3
To entrust or commit to the care of someone else.
After being imprisoned, I had to commend my kids to my mom's safekeeping.
Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Luke 23:46:
4
To mention by way of courtesy, implying remembrance and goodwill; give regards from
Commend me to my brother.1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii]:
5
To recommend.
Among the objects of knowledge, two especially […] commend themselves to our contemplation.a. 1677 (date written), Matthew Hale, The Primitive Origination of Mankind, Considered and Examined According to the Light of Nature, London: […] William Godbid, for William Shrowsbery, […], published 1677, →OCLC:
I commend vnto you Phebe our sister, which is a seruant of the Church which is at Cenchrea:1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Romans 16:1:
Etymology From Middle English commenden, from Old French comender, from Latin commendō (“commend, entrust to, commit, recommend”), from com- + mandō (“to commit, intrust, enjoin”), from manus (“hand”) + dō (“to put”). Doublet of command.
He had need meane better, then his outward ſhew Can any way ſpeake in his iuſt commend:c. 1607–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, [George Wilkins?], The Late, and Much Admired Play, Called Pericles, Prince of Tyre. […], London: […] [William White and Thomas Creede] for Henry Gosson, […], published 1609, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:
Hearty commends and much endeared love unto you.1655, James Howell, “to Dr. Thomas Prichard at Worcester House”, in Epistolæ Ho-Elianæ. Familiar Letters Domestic and Forren. […], 3rd edition, volume (please specify the page), London: […] Humphrey Mos[e]ley, […], →OCLC: