legate

American  

[leg-it] / ˈlɛg ɪt /

noun

1. an ecclesiastic delegated by the pope as his representative.

2. Roman History.

   1. an assistant to a general or to a consul or magistrate, in the government of any army or a province; a commander of a legion.

   2. a provincial governor of senatorial rank appointed by the emperor.

3. an envoy or emissary.

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legate British  

/ ˈlɛɡɪt, ˈlɛɡəˌtaɪn /

noun

1. a messenger, envoy, or delegate

2. RC Church an emissary to a foreign state representing the Pope

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Other Word Forms

• legateship noun
• legatine adjective
• underlegate noun

Etymology

Origin of legate

1125–75; Middle English legat < Latin lēgātus deputy (noun use of masculine past participle of lēgāre to depute), equivalent to lēgā ( re ) + -tus past participle suffix

Example Sentences

Following a complex series of long-distance negotiations involving Prince Frederick III and the pontiff, papal legate Cardinal Cajetan formally examined Luther at Augsburg.

From Washington Post

The papal legate could hardly step out on the streets without being accosted by angry, agitated citizens.

From Washington Post

That Francis forced Festing’s resignation without deigning to pick up Burke’s gauntlet was further vindication of the Pope, who will soon appoint his own legate to run the Order.

From The New Yorker

The march is played elsewhere when the Pope or papal legate officially visits another country or religious institution.

From Time

Hôtel Biron, as it became known, served as a seat for the papal legate, an embassy for the Russian government, and a boarding school, run by nuns.

From Architectural Digest