legate

[ leg-it ]
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noun
  1. an ecclesiastic delegated by the pope as his representative.

  2. Roman History.

    • an assistant to a general or to a consul or magistrate, in the government of any army or a province; a commander of a legion.

    • a provincial governor of senatorial rank appointed by the emperor.

  1. an envoy or emissary.

Origin of legate

1
1125–75; Middle English legat<Latin lēgātus deputy (noun use of masculine past participle of lēgāre to depute), equivalent to lēgā(re) + -tus past participle suffix

Other words from legate

  • leg·ate·ship, noun
  • un·der·leg·ate, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use legate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for legate

legate

/ (ˈlɛɡɪt) /


noun
  1. a messenger, envoy, or delegate

  2. RC Church an emissary to a foreign state representing the Pope

Origin of legate

1
Old English, via Old French from Latin lēgātus deputy, from lēgāre to delegate; related to lēx law

Derived forms of legate

  • legateship, noun
  • legatine (ˈlɛɡəˌtaɪn), adjective

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