emissaries
|e-mis-sar-ies|
🇺🇸
/ˈɛmɪsəri/
🇬🇧
/ˈemɪsəri/
(emissary)
representative on a mission
Etymology
'emissary' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'emissarius', where 'emittere' (from 'e-' + 'mittere') meant 'to send out' and the suffix '-arius' indicated 'pertaining to' or 'connected with'.
'emissary' changed from Late Latin 'emissarius' to Old French 'emissaire' and Middle English 'emissarie', eventually becoming the modern English word 'emissary'.
Initially, it meant 'a person sent out' (generally a messenger); over time it came to be used especially for diplomatic envoys or official representatives, while retaining the broader sense of 'agent sent on a mission'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'emissary': persons sent on a mission, especially as diplomatic representatives or official envoys.
The government sent emissaries to discuss the ceasefire terms.
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Noun 2
persons acting as intermediaries or agents on behalf of a group or leader, often informally or covertly.
Corporate emissaries met with the community leaders to calm concerns about the project.
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Last updated: 2025/12/16 08:59