apocrisiary
|a-poc-ri-si-a-ry|
🇺🇸
/əˌpɑːkrəˈzɪəri/
🇬🇧
/əˌpɒkrɪˈzɪəri/
ecclesiastical envoy / official who replies
Etymology
'apocrisiary' originates from Late Latin 'apocrisiarius', ultimately from Greek 'apokrisiarios', where the root 'apokrisis' meant 'answer' or 'reply'.
'apocrisiary' changed from the Medieval Latin word 'apocrisiarius' (borrowed from Greek 'apokrisiarios') and entered English usage via ecclesiastical Latin in medieval contexts.
Initially, it meant 'one who gives answers or replies on behalf of another' (a respondent or official), and over time it came to be used specifically for 'a church envoy or representative' in ecclesiastical contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a church official or envoy sent as a representative or ambassador (especially a papal or episcopal representative to another see or court).
In the 6th century he served as apocrisiary to the patriarch at Constantinople.
Synonyms
Noun 2
historically, an official who replied on behalf of a bishop or patriarch to inquiries — a sort of ecclesiastical secretary or respondent.
The apocrisiary drafted official responses to theological questions on behalf of the bishop.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/19 11:08