demit

¹ American  

[dih-mit] / dɪˈmɪt /

verb (used with object)

demitted, demitting

1. to resign (a job, public office, etc.); relinquish.

2. Archaic. to dismiss; fire.

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verb (used without object)

demitted, demitting

1. to resign.

noun

1. Also dimit. (especially in Freemasonry) a written certification of honorable withdrawal or resignation, as from membership.

demit ² American  

[dih-mit] / dɪˈmɪt /

verb (used with object)

demitted, demitting

1. to put in or send to a lower place.

2. Obsolete. to lower in status, rank, or esteem; humble.

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demit British  

/ dɪˈmɪt /

verb

1. to resign (an office, position, etc)

2. (tr) to dismiss

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Etymology

Origin of demit¹

1520–30; < Middle French demettre, Old French demetre < Latin dēmittere to demit ² (but also with some senses of Latin dīmittere send away, dismiss, equivalent to dī- di- ² + mittere to send)

Origin of demit²

1550–60; < Latin dēmittere to let fall, send down, equivalent to dē- de- + mittere to send

Example Sentences

Only last October did he formally demit the Presbyterian ministry.

From Time Magazine Archive

A few Grand Lodges have denied the right of a Mason permanently to demit from the Order.

From The Principles of Masonic Law A Treatise on the Constitutional Laws, Usages and Landmarks of Freemasonry by Mackey, Albert G.

FAUCHET, Abbe, at siege of Bastille, his Te-Deums, his harangue on Franklin, his Cercle Social, in First Parliament, motion by, doffs his insignia, King's death, lamentation, will demit, trial of.

From The French Revolution by Carlyle, Thomas

The right to demit or resign never has, until within a few years, been denied.

From The Principles of Masonic Law A Treatise on the Constitutional Laws, Usages and Landmarks of Freemasonry by Mackey, Albert G.

On the contrary, Lanjuinais the Breton declares that there is one man who never will demit voluntarily; but will protest to the uttermost, while a voice is left him.

From The French Revolution by Carlyle, Thomas