embassy

[em-buh-see]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR embassy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural em·bas·sies.

a body of persons entrusted with a mission to a sovereign or government, especially an ambassador and his or her staff.

the official headquarters of an ambassador.

the function or office of an ambassador.

a mission headed by an ambassador.

Nearby words

Origin of embassy

1570–80; variant of ambassy < Middle French ambassee, Old French ambasce, ambaxee ≪ Old Provençal ambaissada, derivative of embayssar to send a delegate < Medieval Latin ambasciāre, derivative of ambascia service, office, derivative, by a Gmc intermediary (compare Gothic andbahti, Old High German ambahti) of Gallo-Latin ambactus retainer, servant (< Gaulish, equivalent to amb- around, ambi- + -act- verbal adjective of *ag- drive, lead; cf. act, Welsh amaeth husbandman); cf. ambassador

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for embassy

On May 9, which Moscow commemorates as World War II “Victory Day,” Klaus paid a highly visible visit to the Russian Embassy.
Vaclav Klaus, Libertarian Hero, Has His Wings Clipped by Cato Institute|James Kirchick|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Greek embassy confirmed the death, which has barely registered by the international press.
Riding Thailand’s WWII Death Railway|Liza Foreman|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The U.S. will reopen an embassy in Havana, meaning an ambassador will be appointed.
Up To Speed: The Cuba Embargo|Nina Strochlic|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I asked him to describe the U.S. mission that will likely revert back to the embassy it was more than a half century ago.
Meet America’s Next Ambassador to Cuba|Eleanor Clift|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I eventually left the West Bank for Jordan with a visa I obtained from the French embassy.
What It’s Like to Be an Atheist in Palestine|Waleed al-Husseini, Movements.Org|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Fox was named first in the commission; but it was agreed that Gardiner should be the real head of the embassy.
History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century, Volume V|J. H. Merle d'Aubigné
We want to get into the third floor of the Embassy, and we want to get out alive—and without shooting.
The Five Arrows|Allan Chase
He showed great political ability in the way he conducted his embassy, and through his personal charms made many friends.
A History of Art for Beginners and Students: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture|Clara Erskine Clement
As soon as the citizens heard of this design they sent an embassy to the Crusaders to deprecate it.
A History of The Inquisition of The Middle Ages; volume I|Henry Charles Lea
A little later in the evening Elaine found herself standing out a dance with a grave young gentleman from the Russian Embassy.
The Unbearable Bassington|Saki

British Dictionary definitions for embassy

embassy

noun plural -sies

the residence or place of official business of an ambassador

an ambassador and his entourage collectively

the position, business, or mission of an ambassador

any important or official mission, duty, etc, esp one undertaken by an agent

Word Origin for embassy

C16: from Old French ambassee, from Old Italian ambasciata, from Old Provençal ambaisada, ultimately of Germanic origin; see ambassador

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

Word Origin and History for embassy

embassy

1570s, "position of an ambassador," from Middle French embassee "mission, charge, office of ambassador," Old French ambassee, from Italian ambasciata, from Old Provençal ambaisada "office of ambassador," from Gaulish *ambactos "dependant, vassal," literally "one going around," from PIE *amb(i)-ag-to, from *ambi- (see ambi-) + *ambi- "around" (see ambi-) + *ag- "to drive, move" (see act (n.)).

Meaning "official residence and retinue of an ambassador" is from 1764. In earlier use were embassade (late 15c.), ambassade (early 15c.).

embassy

noun, plural em·bas·sies.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of embassy

Examples from the Web for embassy

embassy

noun plural -sies

Word Origin for embassy

embassy