Definitions for: Legate


[n] a member of a legation



Webster (1913) Definition: Leg"ate (l[e^]g"[asl]t), n. [OE. legat, L. legatus, fr.
legare to send with a commission or charge, to depute, fr.
lex, legis, law: cf. F. l['e]gat, It. legato. See Legal.]
1. An ambassador or envoy.

2. An ecclesiastic representing the pope and invested with
the authority of the Holy See.

Note: Legates are of three kinds: (a) Legates a latere, now
always cardinals. They are called ordinary or
extraordinary legates, the former governing provinces,
and the latter class being sent to foreign countries on
extraordinary occasions. (b) Legati missi, who
correspond to the ambassadors of temporal governments.
(c) Legati nati, or legates by virtue of their
office, as the archbishops of Salzburg and Prague.

3. (Rom. Hist.)
(a) An official assistant given to a general or to the
governor of a province.
(b) Under the emperors, a governor sent to a province.

Synonyms: official emissary

See Also: emissary, envoy, foreign mission, legation

 Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder

Scrabble Cheat

Words With Friends Cheat

Hanging With Friends Cheat

Scramble With Friends Cheat

Ruzzle Cheat



Related Resources:
animal facts
t letter animals