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emissaries

 - 5 dictionary results

em⋅is⋅sar⋅y

[em-uh-ser-ee] noun, plural -sar⋅ies, adjective
–noun
1. a representative sent on a mission or errand: emissaries to negotiate a peace.
2. an agent sent on a mission of a secret nature, as a spy.
3. Anatomy. sending or coming out, as certain veins that pass through the skull and connect the venous sinuses inside with the veins outside.
4. pertaining to an emissary.
–adjective
5. Archaic. sent forth, as on a mission.

Origin:
1595–1605; < L ēmissārius one sent out, equiv. to ēmiss- (see emission ) + -ārius -ary


1. delegate, ambassador, envoy, legate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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em·is·sar·y   (ěm'ĭ-sěr'ē)   
n.   pl. em·is·sar·ies
An agent sent on a mission to represent or advance the interests of another.

[Latin ēmissārius, from ēmissus, past participle of ēmittere, to send out; see emit.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

emissary 
1601, from L. emissarius, lit. "that is sent out," from emissus, pp. of emittere "send forth" (see emit).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: em·is·sary
Pronunciation: 'e-m&-"ser-E
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -sar·ies
: a representative usually empowered to act more or less independently (as in collecting or conveying information or in negotiating)
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

emissary em·is·sar·y (ěm'ĭ-sěr'ē)
n.
Any of various venous channels through the skull that connect the venous sinuses of the dura mater with veins external to the skull.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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