chargé d'affaires

[ shahr-zhey duh-fair, shahr-zhey; French shar-zhey da-fer ]

noun

, Government.

, plural char·gés d'af·faires [shahr-, zheyz, d, uh, -, fair, shahr, -zheyz, sh, a, r, -zhey d, a, -, fer].

1. Also called chargé d'affaires ad interim. an official placed in charge of diplomatic business during the temporary absence of the ambassador or minister.
2. an envoy to a state to which a diplomat of higher grade is not sent.

chargé d'affaires

/ ˈʃɑːʒeɪ dæˈfɛə; ʃarʒe dafɛr /

noun

1. the temporary head of a diplomatic mission in the absence of the ambassador or minister
2. the head of a diplomatic mission of the lowest level

Word History and Origins

Origin of chargé d'affaires¹

1760–70; < French: literally, one in charge of things

Word History and Origins

Origin of chargé d'affaires¹

C18: from French: (one) charged with affairs