emissary

American  

[em-uh-ser-ee] / ˈɛm əˌsɛr i /

noun

plural

emissaries

1. a representative sent on a mission or errand.

   emissaries to negotiate a peace.

   Synonyms:

   legate, envoy, ambassador, delegate

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.

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adjective

1. Archaic. sent forth, as on a mission.

emissary British  

/ ˈɛmɪsərɪ, -ɪsrɪ /

noun

1. 1. an agent or messenger sent on a mission, esp one who represents a government or head of state

   2. ( as modifier )

      an emissary delegation

2. an agent sent on a secret mission, as a spy

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adjective

1. (of veins) draining blood from sinuses in the dura mater to veins outside the skull

Etymology

Origin of emissary

1595–1605; < Latin ēmissārius one sent out, equivalent to ēmiss- ( emission ) + -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

Vance and Rubio gave no quarter, and the two emissaries were forced to return home with nothing more than a promise for a “working group,” which means nothing.

From Salon

The emissary is reported to be a close ally and friend of Rodríguez, who has been described as "extremely co-operative" by the White House.

From BBC

"The emissary, Félix Plasencia, would be the first representative of the country's ruling political movement, known as chavismo, to visit the American capital in an official capacity in years," the newspaper wrote.

From BBC

At SpaceX, Shotwell is a customer emissary, a diplomat for an increasingly global company and the top day-to-day leader of a group of executives who have bought into its intense culture.

From The Wall Street Journal

One of our machine emissaries, Voyager 1, has already left the solar system and is still sending messages back home about its journey.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• envoy
• go-between
• intermediary
• messenger