English Explanatory Dictionary

missionary

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. One who is sent on a mission.
  2. A person who travels attempting to spread a religion or creed (Particularly used in context of Christianity).
  3. A religious messenger.
  4. The missionary position for sexual intercourse.
  5. Sexual intercourse in the missionary position.
adj
  1. Relating to a (religious) mission.

Pronunciation

/ˈmɪʃ.əˌnɛɹ.ɪ/ en-us-missionary.ogg /ˈmɪʃ.ən(ə).ɹɪ/ /ˈmɪʃᶦ.nə.ri/

Word forms

missionary missionaries

Etymology

From mission + -ary.

Synonyms

emissary

Related words

emissary emission

Derived words

antimissionary missionaries and cannibals problem missionarily missionary bishop missionarying missionaryism missionaryize missionarylike missionary-linguist missionary linguist missionary position missionary rector missionaryship missionary zeal nonmissionary premissionary unmissionary
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