Commenda

/kəˈmɛndə/ noun

Definition

A medieval form of business partnership or trust arrangement where one party entrusts goods to another for trading purposes, a precursor to modern joint venture agreements.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin 'commenda', derived from 'commendare' (meaning 'to entrust'), reflecting medieval Italian trading practices that developed in Mediterranean commerce.

Kelly Says

The commenda was the medieval world's answer to partnership agreements—allowing merchants to share profits and risks across long trading routes, essentially inventing the business partnership without modern contracts.

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