Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Consul
1.
(Rom. Antiq.)
One of the two chief magistrates of the republic.
☞ They were chosen annually, originally from the patricians only, but later from the plebeians also.
2.
A senator; a counselor.
[Obs.]
Many of the
Are at the duke’s already.
consuls
, raised and met,Are at the duke’s already.
Shakespeare
With kings and
consuls
of the earth. Job. iii. 14 (Douay Ver. )
3.
(Fr. Hist.)
One of the three chief magistrates of France from 1799 to 1804, who were called, respectively, first, second, and third consul.
4.
An official commissioned to reside in some foreign country, to care for the commercial interests of the citizens of the appointing government, and to protect its seamen.
Consul general
, a consul of the first rank, stationed in an important place, or having jurisdiction in several places or over several consuls.
– Vice consul
, a consular officer holding the place of a consul during the consul's absence or after he has been relieved.
Webster 1828 Edition
Consul
CONSUL
,Noun.
1.
The chief magistrate of the Ancient Roman Republic, invested with regal authority for one year. There were two consuls, annually chosen in the campus Martius. In the first ages of Tome, they were elected from Patrician families or noblemen; but in the year of Rome 388, the people obtained the privilege of electing one of the consuls from their own body, and sometimes both were plebeians.2.
In modern usage, the name consul is given to a person commissioned by a king or state to reside in a foreign country as an agent or representative, to protect the rights, commerce, merchants and seamen of the state, and to aid the government in any commercial transactions with such foreign country.3.
An adviser. [Not well authorized.]