chargé d'affaires

[shahr-zhey duh-fair, shahr-zhey, shar-zhey da-fer]

noun

Government.

plural

chargés d'affaires 

1. Also called chargé d'affaires ad interim. an official placed in charge of diplomatic business during the temporary absence of the ambassador or minister.

2. an envoy to a state to which a diplomat of higher grade is not sent.

chargé d'affaires

/ ˈʃɑːʒeɪ dæˈfɛə, ʃarʒe dafɛr /

noun

1. the temporary head of a diplomatic mission in the absence of the ambassador or minister

2. the head of a diplomatic mission of the lowest level

Word History and Origins

Origin of chargé d'affaires¹

1760–70; < French: literally, one in charge of things

Word History and Origins

Origin of chargé d'affaires¹

C18: from French: (one) charged with affairs