envoy

1
[ en-voi, ahn- ]
See synonyms for envoy on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a diplomatic agent.

  2. any accredited messenger or representative.

  1. Also called en·voy ex·tra·or·di·nar·y [en-voi ik-strawr-dn-er-ee, ek-struh-awr-, ahn-voi], /ˈɛn vɔɪ ɪkˈstrɔr dnˌɛr i, ˌɛk strəˈɔr-, ˈɑn vɔɪ/, minister plenipotentiary . a diplomatic agent of the second rank, next in status after an ambassador.

Origin of envoy

1
1635–45; <French envoyé envoy, noun use of past participle of envoyer to send <Vulgar Latin *inviāre, presumably originally to be on a journey, verbal derivative of Latin in viā on one's way, en route

Other words for envoy

Other definitions for envoy (2 of 2)

envoy2

or en·voi

[ en-voi, ahn- ]

noun
  1. a short stanza concluding a poem in certain archaic metrical forms, as a ballade, and serving as a dedication, or a similar postscript to a prose composition.

Origin of envoy

2
1350–1400; Middle English envoye<Old French, derivative of envoyer to send; see envoy1

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

How to use envoy in a sentence

  • Edward's envoys, at last despatched on December 8, were still in very good time.

    King Robert the Bruce | A. F. Murison
  • Secondly, Randolph prayed for safe conducts for Bruce's envoys, presently to be sent to procure reconciliation with the Church.

    King Robert the Bruce | A. F. Murison
  • He presently confirmed the thirteen years' truce (February 15), and appointed envoys to treat for final peace (March 4).

    King Robert the Bruce | A. F. Murison
  • His envoys had proposed to refer the knotty point to the decision of His Holiness; but 'this they absolutely declined.'

    King Robert the Bruce | A. F. Murison
  • Some few of the citizens were against breaking the treaty;Treacherous attempt on the lives of the Roman envoys.

British Dictionary definitions for envoy (1 of 2)

envoy1

/ (ˈɛnvɔɪ) /


noun
  1. Formal name: envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary a diplomat of the second class, ranking between an ambassador and a minister resident

  2. an accredited messenger, agent, or representative

Origin of envoy

1
C17: from French envoyé, literally: sent, from envoyer to send, from Vulgar Latin inviāre (unattested) to send on a journey, from in- ² + via road

Derived forms of envoy

  • envoyship, noun

British Dictionary definitions for envoy (2 of 2)

envoy2

envoi

/ (ˈɛnvɔɪ) /


noun
  1. a brief dedicatory or explanatory stanza concluding certain forms of poetry, notably ballades

  2. a postscript in other forms of verse or prose

Origin of envoy

2
C14: from Old French envoye, from envoyer to send; see envoy 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012