missĭo, ōnis, f. [mitto].
I In gen., a letting go, sending away, a sending, despatching; a throwing, hurling (class.): litterarum, Cic. Att. 1, 5, 3: legatorum, id. Phil. 7, 1, 1: extra telorum missionem, beyond the range of missiles , Vitr. 2, 9, 16; 1, 5, 4: missio sanguinis, blood-letting , Cels. 2, 10 fin. ; Suet. Calig. 29.—
II In partic.
A A release from captivity, setting at liberty, liberation : munus pro missione dare, Cic. Tusc. 1, 48, 114: si filius familias post missionem faciat testimentum, Gai. Inst. 2, 106.—
B A discharge from service (of soldiers, office-holders, gladiators, etc.), a dismission (syn. exauctoratio): praemium missionis ferre, Caes. B. C. 1, 86: quibus (militibus) senatus missionem reditumque in patriam negāsset ante belli finem. Liv. 26, 1: exercitum purgare missionibus turbulentorum hominum, id. 7, 39; cf.: missionum generales causae sunt tres: honesta, causaria, ignominiosa. Honesta est, quae tempore militiae impleto datur: causaria cum quis vitio animi vel corporis minus idoneus militiae renunciatur; ignominiosa causa est, cum quis propter delictum sacramento solvitur, Dig. 49, 16, 13: gratiosa ante emerita stipendia, a discharge obtained by favor , Liv. 43, 14, 9: nondum justa, id. 43, 14, 15.—Of a quaestor, Suet. Caes. 7.—
C Esp., of gladiators, release, respite, quarter : cum Myrino peteretur missio laeso, Mart. 12, 29, 7: non enim servavit is, qui non interfecit, nec beneficium dedit, sed missionem, Sen. Ben. 2, 20, 3.—Hence, sine missione, without favor, without quarter, to the death , Liv. 41, 20, 12.—Trop.: quid prodest, paucos dies aut annos lucrificare? sine missione nascimur, without respite in the service of wisdom , Sen. Ep. 37, 2: sine missione pugnatum est, for life or death , Flor. 3, 20, 4.—
D A cessation, termination, end : ante ludorum missionem, Cic. Fam. 5, 12, 8.—
E Remission from punishment: missionem puero dedit, qs. let him go , Petr. 52.—
F In jurid. lang., a delivering up, giving possession : missio in aedes, Dig. 39, 2, 15, § 12.