Committee

• From Anglo-French committe
• From Latin committere "to entrust"
  • From COM- [cum "with"] "together"
  • + MITTERE "to send, let go"

   

Originally a committee was "a person to whom some charge, trust, or function was committed," for example, from 1579,

The Bishop of Rome hath beene made the Committie of diuerse Councels, to receiue the subscriptions.

Early in the 17^th century the word began to be used collectively: "a body of (two or more) persons appointed or elected (by a society, department, corporation, public meeting, etc.) for some special business or function."

1621 the wholl House [of Lords] a Committee, the same being adjourned ad libitum.

1636 The Commons having chosen a Committee of Eight...to deliver some fourteen articles against him to the Lords.

1640 This grand Committee did authorize a Sub-Committee.

So it goes....

1970s There are no great men, my boy— only great committees. Charles Adams

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