noun
legate
LEH-giht
Legate (noun) means an official representative sent by the pope on a special church mission. Example: “The pope dispatched a legate to negotiate with the emperor.”
noun
1
An official representative sent by the pope on a special church mission.
"The pope dispatched a legate to negotiate with the emperor."
2
An ambassador or official envoy.
"The dark figure on the raised white terrace; legate of the sun facing the sun; the most ancient royal power."
— John Fowles, The Magus (1965)
"The king received the foreign legate with full ceremony."
How to use legate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn official envoy, historically often representing the pope or a Roman governor.
When to use it
A formal, mostly historical or religious term — not everyday vocabulary.
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Word forms
- Plural
- legates
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The pope dispatched a _____ to negotiate with the emperor.
Etymology
From Latin lēgātus, "one sent as an envoy," from lēgō, "to send on a mission" or "to bequeath."
Synonyms
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official emissary
Rhymes for legate
See all rhymes for legate →Frequently asked questions
What does “legate” mean?
The word “legate” means an official representative sent by the pope on a special church mission. In plain terms, an official envoy, historically often representing the pope or a Roman governor.
How do you pronounce “legate”?
“Legate” is pronounced LEH-giht (/ˈlɛɡɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “legate” in a sentence?
Here is “legate” used in a sentence: “The pope dispatched a legate to negotiate with the emperor.”
What part of speech is “legate”?
“Legate” is a noun.
Where does the word “legate” come from?
The word “legate” comes from Latin. From Latin lēgātus, "one sent as an envoy," from lēgō, "to send on a mission" or "to bequeath.".
How many meanings does “legate” have?
“Legate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an official representative sent by the pope on a special church mission.
