remission

[ ri-mish-uhn ]

noun

1. the act of remitting.
2. pardon; forgiveness, as of sins or offenses.

   Synonyms: absolution

   Antonyms: censure, blame

3. abatement or diminution, as of diligence, labor, intensity, etc.

   Synonyms: relaxation

   Antonyms: intensification

4. the relinquishment of a payment, obligation, etc.

   Synonyms: release

5. Medicine/Medical.
   1. a temporary or permanent decrease or subsidence of manifestations of a disease.
   2. a period during which such a decrease or subsidence occurs:

      The patient's leukemia was in remission.

remission

/ rɪˈmɪʃən; rɪˈmɪtəl /

noun

1. the act of remitting or state of being remitted
2. a reduction of the term of a sentence of imprisonment, as for good conduct

   he got three years' remission

3. forgiveness for sin
4. discharge or release from penalty, obligation, etc
5. lessening of intensity; abatement, as in the severity of symptoms of a disease

remission

/ rĭ-mĭsh′ən /

1. Abatement or subsiding of the symptoms of a disease.

remission

1. A period in the course of a disease when symptoms become less severe.

Notes

The term remission is often used in speaking of sufferers from leukemia or other cancers whose symptoms lessen or disappear. In such a case, the disease is said to be “in remission.” The period of remission may last only briefly or may extend over several months or years.

Derived Forms

• reˈmissively, adverb
• reˈmissive, adjective

Other Words From

• nonre·mission noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of remission¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin remissiōn-, stem of remissiō; equivalent to remiss + -ion

Example Sentences

After that, his doctors told him he could expect “total remission.”

From Los Angeles Times

Dodgers broadcaster Charley Steiner has battled multiple myeloma blood cancer this season, but tells Bill Plaschke he’s grateful it is in remission.

From Los Angeles Times

He learned that his multiple myeloma blood cancer was in remission.

From Los Angeles Times

“Remission is a beautiful word,” he said this week.

From Los Angeles Times

The pair ultimately fall in love, but their plans for the future are thrown into doubt when the cancer Almut thought she was in remission from returns.

From BBC

Related Words

• absolution
• amnesty
• exemption
• exoneration
• forgiveness
• reprieve