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

A US envoy has arrived in Israel to continue negotiations on a ceasefire with Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, after reporting “additional progress” during a second day of talks in Beirut.

From BBC

Efforts for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah have intensified, with a US envoy expected to return to Lebanon for talks over a possible deal, amid an escalation of Israel’s air attacks across the country.

From BBC

The Times report alleged that Musk called for a meeting with Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, meeting the envoy in a secret location in New York.

From Salon

Its envoys could only grasp for minor wins such as pauses in the fighting or opening checkpoints for aid convoys.

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

Related Words

• delegate
• diplomat
• emissary
• minister
• representative