āmittō

1. Amittere means to lose something, so that it ceases to be in our possession, like ἀποβαλεῖν, opp. to retinere, Cic. Rep. v. i. Sext. 47. Suet. Tib. 15. Ter. Phorm. iii. 2, 22; perdere means, to lose something, so that it is destroyed, and rendered useless, like διολέσαι, opp. to servare. Plaut. Rud. iv. 4, 120. Ter. Ad. ii. 2, 32. Sen. Contr. iii. 21.—Tac. Ann. ii. 25. Perdita classe, amissis armis. 2. Amissio is an involuntary, jactura, a voluntary, loss, which a person undergoes, a sacrifice that is made to avoid a greater loss, as in the case of the master of a ship, who throws the freight overboard, to save his ship and his life. Plin. Ep. i. 12. Jacturam gravissimam feci, si jactura dicenda est tanti viri amissio. (iii. 289.)

1. Mittere μεθεῖναι is the general expression, to send; legare (from λέγω) has a special political meaning, to delegate. The missus makes his appearance as a servant or messenger; the legatus, as a representative. 2. Amittere and dimittere mean to let go any thing already in one’s possession; amittere, against one’s will, as to lose; dimittere, after having used it, as to dismiss; whereas omittere means to let anything pass by, without taking possession of it; to speak with precision, Amittimus inviti et casu, omittimus volentes et sponte. Hence amittere occasionem means, to let slip an opportunity, so as not to be able to take advantage of it, from negligence; whereas omittere occasionem means, to renounce an opportunity, so as not to wish to take advantage of it, from attaching little value to it. Vitam amittere means, to lose one’s life; vitam omittere, to sacrifice it. (iii. 285.)