emissary

[ em-uh-ser-ee ]

noun

, plural em·is·sar·ies.

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.

adjective

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

emissary

/ -ɪsrɪ; ˈɛmɪsərɪ /

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

adjective

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of emissary¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of emissary¹

C17: from Latin ēmissārius emissary, spy, from ēmittere to send out; see emit

Example Sentences

Like their queen’s emissaries, RNA molecules carry out the instructions for protein assembly, catalyze reactions, and perform other duties, keeping their cellular dominion in good health.

From Nautilus

They are emissaries of Earth, little metal spores from Earth.

From Time

He protested Mann’s mission and warned that American policymakers “were exposing their emissary to be treated as a spy.”

From Washington Post

Infused with social media–savvy prose and all the latest tech fads—from cryptocurrency to brain-computer interfaces—the story unfolds through retelling from the alternating points of view of an alien emissary’s closest friends.

From Fortune

Instead, he sent mid-level emissaries to assure the solicitous officials his company would sort things on its own.

From Fortune

Hay was the foppish “smiling emissary” whose conversational skills could make petitioners forget they came to see the president.

From The Daily Beast

The FBI has described Mostafa as an emissary for Zawahiri in Somalia.

From The Daily Beast

Jamal tried to visit the al Qaeda master in Pakistan, he writes, but had to send an emissary instead.

From The Daily Beast

It came a day before his special emissary on Palestinian affairs, Tzippi Livni, met with John Kerry in Washington.

From The Daily Beast

When the emissary phoned him to say the fee had been refused, he said he had meetings and could not talk.

From The Daily Beast

The consequence was, the disappointed emissary of these double treasons, immediately accused him of his own crimes.

From Project Gutenberg

Father Gavazzi, an emissary of the pope to America, caused a riot by his preaching at Montreal.

From Project Gutenberg

Here was a spy from "the crowd," an emissary of "the modern."

From Project Gutenberg

Napoleon has sent the man on as an emissary, but Delessart will not allow him to speak.

From Project Gutenberg

In reply to this Sapazani and his induna put a number of questions to the emissary, as the way of natives is.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• envoy
• go-between
• intermediary
• messenger