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Webster 1828 Edition

Ambassador

AMBAS'SADOR

,
Noun.
[This is the more common orthography; but good authors write also embassador; and as the orthography of embassy is established, it would be better to write embassador. See Embassador.]

Definition 2024

ambassador

ambassador

See also: ambassadör

English

Alternative forms

Noun

ambassador ‎(plural ambassadors)

  1. A minister of the highest rank sent to a foreign court to represent there his sovereign or country. (Sometimes called ambassador-in-residence)
    • 1982, Orville T. Murphy, Charles Gravier, Comte de Vergennes: French Diplomacy in the Age of Revolution, 1719-1787:
      Vergenne'fury reached its height when the priest tried to involve the English ambassador.
  2. An official messenger and representative.
    • 1856, Mrs. William Busk, Mediæval Popes, Emperors, Kings, and Crusaders: Or, Germany, Italy and Palestine, from A.D. 1125 to A.D. 1268, volume IV, London: Hookham and Sons, OCLC 2480341, page 294:
      The new accusation brought by Urban against Manfred of murdering his sister-in-law's embassador – it may be observed that, tacitly, he acquits him of parricide, fratricide, and nepoticide – requires a little explanation.
  3. A corporate representative, often the public face of the company.
  4. (archaic, slang) A trick to duck some ignorant fellow or landsman, frequently played on board ships in the warm latitudes. It is thus managed: A large tub is filled with water, and two stools placed on each side of it. Over the whole is thrown a tarpaulin, or old sail: this is kept tight by two persons, who are to represent the king and queen of a foreign country, and are seated on the stools. The person intended to be ducked plays the Ambassador, and after repeating a ridiculous speech dictated to him, is led in great form up to the throne, and seated between the king and queen, who rising suddenly as soon as he is seated, he falls backwards into the tub of water.

Usage notes

  • In English the preferred construction is <Nationality> ambassador to <Country>, example: The French ambassador to the United States.
Derived terms

Related terms

  • embassy
  • ambassadorship
  • ambassador-at-large is a diplomat of the highest rank or a minister who is accredited to represent his or her country internationally: Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues

Translations

See also

Etymology

From Middle English ambassadore, from Anglo-Norman ambassadeur, ambassateur, from Old Italian ambassatore, ambassadore, from Old Provençal ambaisador ‎(“ambassador”), derivative of ambaissa ‎(“service, mission, errand”), from Gothic 𐌰𐌽𐌳𐌱𐌰𐌷𐍄𐌹 ‎(andbahti, “service, function”), from Proto-Germanic *ambahtiją ‎(“service, office”), derivative of Proto-Germanic *ambahtaz ‎(“servant”), from Gaulish ambaxtos, from Proto-Celtic *ambaxtos ‎(“servant”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂mbʰi-h₂eǵ- ‎(“drive around”), from *h₂mbʰi- ‎(“around”) + *h₂eǵ- ‎(“to drive”). More at umbe, agent.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /æmˈbæs.ə.də(ɹ)/
  • (US) IPA(key): /æmˈbæs.ə.dɚ/, /æmˈbæs.əˌdɔɹ/

Similar Results