embassy

[em-buh-see]

noun

plural

embassies 

1. a body of people entrusted with a mission to a sovereign or government, especially an ambassador and their staff.

2. the official headquarters of an ambassador.

3. the function or office of an ambassador.

4. a mission headed by an ambassador.

embassy

/ ˈɛmbəsɪ /

noun

1. the residence or place of official business of an ambassador

2. an ambassador and his entourage collectively

3. the position, business, or mission of an ambassador

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of embassy¹

First recorded in 1570–80; variant of ambassy, from Middle French ambassee, Old French ambasce, ambaxee, ultimately from Old Provençal ambaissada, derivative of embayssar “to send a delegate,” from Medieval Latin ambasciāre, derivative of ambascia “service, office,” derivative, by a Germanic intermediary (compare Gothic andbahti, Old High German ambahti ) of Gallo-Latin ambactus “retainer, servant” (from Gaulish, equivalent to amb- “around, both” + -act- verbal adjective of unattested ag- “drive, lead”; compare Welsh amaeth “husbandman”); ambi-, amphi- ( def. ), act, ambassador

Word History and Origins

Origin of embassy¹

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

Example Sentences

In a statement, the embassy said: "That such an act of violence should be perpetrated on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, in a place of prayer and community, is abhorrent and deeply distressing."

From BBC

The Chinese foreign ministry has said that more details about the visa will be released by Chinese embassies and consulates abroad, without specifying a timeline.

From BBC

Iran has been working with the US on a deal to remove the Iranian nationals through its US Interests Section at the Pakistani embassy in Tehran.

From BBC

Court documents show that the Russian embassy offered Ms Kutina and the children an emergency travel window between 26 September and 9 October.

From BBC

Russia's embassy in the UK rejected the BBC's allegations, accusing Moldova and its "Western sponsors" of seeking to divert attention from Chisinau's "internal woes".

From BBC

Related Words

• commission 
• consulate 
• delegation 
• ministry