legation

[li-gey-shuh n]

See more synonyms for legation on Thesaurus.com

noun

a diplomatic minister and staff in a foreign mission.
the official headquarters of a diplomatic minister.
the office or position of a legate; mission.

Origin of legation

1425–75; late Middle English legacion < Latin lēgātiōn- (stem of lēgātiō) embassy. See legate, -ion

Related formsle·ga·tion·ar·y

[li-gey-shuh-ner-ee] /lɪˈgeɪ ʃəˌnɛr i/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for legation

embassy, delegation, agency, office, authority, commission, gathering, contingent, organization, consulate, ministry, function, work, certificate, consignment, employment, permit, mission, errand, diploma

Examples from the Web for legation

Contemporary Examples of legation

He took her under his wing, designating her the Spanish legation interpreter.
The Week in Death: Suzanne Gelleri Dear
The Telegraph
December 15, 2013

Historical Examples of legation

They had started as soon as Nelly's letter reached the Legation.
The Little Girl Lost
Eleanor Raper
The Legation trembles at it—the Commessario says it is 'Peri-colosissimo!'
Charles Lever, His Life in His Letters, Vol. I (of II)
Edmund Downey
He was the doctor of our Legation and, of course, of the Consulate, too.
The Shadow-Line
Joseph Conrad
"I have nothing that is not addressed to a legation," said the other, trying to pass on.
Tony Butler
Charles James Lever
Yes, he is attached to the Legation, and sometimes here, sometimes at Naples.
Tony Butler
Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for legation

legation

noun

a diplomatic mission headed by a minister
the official residence and office of a diplomatic minister
the act of sending forth a diplomatic envoy
the mission or business of a diplomatic envoy
the rank or office of a legate

Derived Formslegationary, adjective

Word Origin for legation

C15: from Latin lēgātiō, from lēgātus legate

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 legation

mid-15c., from Old French legation and directly from Latin legationem (nominative legatio) "the office of an ambassador," noun of action from past participle stem of legare (see legate).