Submission traces back to the Latin submissio(n-), meaning "a letting down" or "a lowering".  The word is composed of two primary roots: sub-  (a Latin prefix meaning "under" or "below") and mittere (a Latin verb meaning "to send" or "to let go").  When combined into the root verb submittere, it literally translates to "letting down, putting down, or lowering". Over centuries, this literal action of "lowering oneself" took on its modern figurative meanings: Yielding/Obedience (in the 15th century, the word shifted to mean placing oneself under the control or judgment of another) and Presenting for Approval (the meaning "to hand something in for consideration" [like a document or assignment sent to a higher authority] developed from the idea of humbly referring a decision to someone else).  It entered the English language in the late 14th century via the Old French word submission. 

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the earliest known use of the noun "submission" in English dates back to  around 1405.  It was used during the Middle English period by the English poet and administrator Geoffrey Chaucer.  Initially, it meant "the act of referring a matter to a third party for judgment or decision".  By the mid-15th century, the word shifted toward its more common modern usage: the act of yielding to authority, surrender, or humble obedience.  The definition of "handing something over for judgment" (like a manuscript or artwork) began to emerge around this same era, derived directly from the Latin submittere.  

In storytelling, submission is a pivotal narrative device used to explore character arcs and power dynamics. It represents a character's yielding to external forces, societal norms, or a higher purpose. Submission drives emotional resonance, forces characters to grow through sacrifice, and establishes the stakes in a conflict.  

Submission operates across several vital dimensions in storytelling:  
The Creative Story Arc of "Surrender: 
In most foundational character arcs, a protagonist begins in a state of resistance. Their submission to the story's central conflict or their own flaws marks the turning point.  
The "All is Lost" Moment: Protagonists often must submit to the harsh reality of their situation, letting go of their initial, flawed strategies before they can succeed.  
Redemption: Yielding can represent a humble unlearning of selfishness, as seen when characters abandon their pride for a greater good. 

Just the facts:

SUBMISSION Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

SUBMISSION Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus

SUBMIT Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

SUBMIT Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus

1 hour ago, drpaladin said:

"Your submission is late," the professor intoned in his reedy voice.

Is this directed at Myr for being late in posting the Word of the Day today through an anology?