legate

[ leg-it ]

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.

legate

/ ˈlɛɡɪt; ˈlɛɡəˌtaɪn /

noun

1. a messenger, envoy, or delegate
2. RC Church an emissary to a foreign state representing the Pope

Derived Forms

• ˈlegateˌship, noun
• legatine, adjective

Other Words From

• legate·ship noun
• under·legate noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of legate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of legate¹

Old English, via Old French from Latin lēgātus deputy, from lēgāre to delegate; related to lēx law

Example Sentences

No kings, no emperor, some middlingly important nobles and one papal legate led the expedition.

From Salon

“I didn’t care whether he was the guy or not,” Mr. Legate said, “it was my responsibility to call.”

From New York Times

Without uttering a word, Mr. Legate went around the corner in the dark to dial 911, standing behind his house.

From New York Times

“They were there with guns drawn and telling the man to put his hands up,” Mr. Legate said on Tuesday.

From New York Times

Greg Legate, who lives about half a mile from the end of the parade route, said he called the police on Sunday evening after coming upon a stranger, later identified as Mr. Brooks, standing on his next-door neighbor’s porch.

From New York Times