commendatory

== English == === Etymology === From commend + -atory. === Pronunciation === === Adjective === commendatory (comparative more commendatory, superlative most commendatory) Serving to commend or compliment; complimentary. 1577, Raphael Holinshed et al., The Firste Volume of the Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irlande, London: John Hunne, The Historie of England, Kinewulfe, p. 198,[1] In the yeare of our Lorde .786. […] Pope Adrian sent two Lega[ts into] Englande […] with letters commendatory vnto Offa king of Mercia […] c. 1726, Alexander Pope, letter to Jonathan Swift dated 8 March, in English Letters and Letter-Writers of the Eighteenth Century, London: George Bell, First Series, 1886, p. 470,[3] You received, I hope, some commendatory verses from a Horse, and a Lilliputian, to Gulliver; and an heroic Epistle to Mrs. Gulliver. Holding a benefice in commendam. a commendatory bishop ==== Derived terms ==== commendatorily === Noun === commendatory (plural commendatories) (obsolete) That which commends; a commendation; eulogy.