Missionary
/ˈmɪʃ.ən.ɛr.i/noun
A person sent on a religious mission, especially one sent to promote Christianity in a foreign country.
Did you know?The term 'missionary' comes from a Latin word meaning 'to send', echoing ancient practices of sending forth individuals with a sacred purpose, often into perilous territories.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
missio
“a sending, a dispatching, or a mission.”
Late Middle Ages
Old French
missionaire
“one who is sent on a religious mission.”
16th Century
Latin
missionarius
“a person sent on a mission, particularly for the Catholic Church.”
Modern English
English
missionary
“a person involved in religious mission work, especially in foreign lands.”