commend

 
Pronunciation: /kəˈmɛnd/

verb

[with object]
  • 1praise formally or officially: he was commended by the judge for his courageous actions
  • 2present as suitable for approval or acceptance; recommend: I commend her to you without reservation
  • make (something) acceptable or pleasing: the emphasis on peace will commend itself to all most one-roomed flats have little to commend them
  • 3 (commend someone/thing to) archaic or formal entrust someone or something to: as they set out on their journey I commend them to your care
  • (commend someone to) pass on someone’s good wishes to: commend me to my son, and bid him rule better than I

Phrases

highly commended

British failing to win a prize but nevertheless considered meritorious: the winner gets £2,000, and two other projects will be highly commended

Origin:

Middle English: from Latin commendare, from com- (expressing intensive force) + mandare 'commit, entrust'. Compare with command