envoy

¹

[ en-voi, ahn- ]

noun

1. a diplomatic agent.

   Synonyms: deputy, emissary, delegate

2. any accredited messenger or representative.

   Synonyms: deputy, emissary, delegate

3. Also called en·voy ex·tra·or·di·nar·y [en, -voi ik-, strawr, -dn-er-ee, ek-str, uh, -, awr, -, ahn, -voi],. a diplomatic agent of the second rank, next in status after an ambassador.

envoy

²

or en·voi

[ en-voi, ahn- ]

noun

1. a short stanza concluding a poem in certain archaic metrical forms, as a ballade, and serving as a dedication, or a similar postscript to a prose composition.

envoy

¹

/ ˈɛnvɔɪ /

noun

1. Formal nameenvoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary a diplomat of the second class, ranking between an ambassador and a minister resident
2. an accredited messenger, agent, or representative

envoy

²

/ ˈɛnvɔɪ /

noun

1. a brief dedicatory or explanatory stanza concluding certain forms of poetry, notably ballades
2. a postscript in other forms of verse or prose

Derived Forms

• ˈenvoyship, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of envoy¹

1635–45; < French envoyé envoy, noun use of past participle of envoyer to send < Vulgar Latin *inviāre, presumably originally to be on a journey, verbal derivative of Latin in viā on one's way, en route

Origin of envoy²

1350–1400; Middle English envoye < Old French, derivative of envoyer to send; envoy ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of envoy¹

C17: from French envoyé, literally: sent, from envoyer to send, from Vulgar Latin inviāre (unattested) to send on a journey, from in- ² + via road

Origin of envoy²

C14: from Old French envoye, from envoyer to send; see envoy ¹

Example Sentences

The president-elect also said Steve Witkoff would serve as his special envoy to the Middle East.

From BBC

The Scottish National Party MP Pete Wishart mocked the news, telling the Commons: "We got the crushing news today that our British envoy to Scotland will no longer be coming there to represent this Parliament."

From BBC

We have been told the prime minister had decided to withdraw the offer for Ms Gray to be his envoy to the nations and regions.

From BBC

One insider got in touch about the envoy role and said: "We all thought it was a bad idea that would lead to endless drama and probably another resignation down the line."

From BBC

On Monday, US President Joe Biden's envoy John Podesta called out president-elect Trump's view that climate change was a hoax and said the US team would continue to work on the deal passed at COP28 in 2023.

From BBC

Related Words

• delegate
• diplomat
• emissary
• minister
• representative