Etymology of 'remit' {noun}?


I understand the definition of remit; so I am not asking about it. I just want to delve in deeper. I also recognise the Etymological Fallacy and its various drawbacks. So how should I interpret or rationalize its etymology, in order to intuit or naturalise it, and to help me remember?



1. remit = [chiefly British] The task or area of activity officially assigned to an individual or organization


2. An item referred to someone for consideration


Etymonline: late 14c., "to forgive, pardon," from Latin remittere "send back, slacken, let go back, abate," from re- "back" (see re-) + mittere "to send" (see mission). Meaning "allow to remain unpaid" is from mid-15c. Meaning "send money (to someone)" first recorded 1630s. Related: Remitted; remitting.



For instance, how does re- fit the 2 definitions above? Both refers someTHING NEW to someONE NEW. Yet back implies a reappraisal; so what's sent back?


Footnote: I encountered remit, in the last sentence, of the last para, of p 7 of 16 here.



Answer



As a native British English speaker, I have a vague preference for stressing the first syllable for #1: "I have a wide REmit", and stressing the second for something related to remittance ("the Court of Session may accept a reMIT").


A memory aid could be:



  1. REmit is like GAmut; this is the stuff encompassed by a job, like a gamut is the colours encompassed by a printer.

  2. reMIT is like a reTURN in tennis, a court can agree to a reMIT and thus a reTURN of the case to a lower court. As "a return" is to "I return", so "A remit" is to "I remit".


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