ablegate

noun

ab·​le·​gate

ˈablə̇gə̇t,

-lē-,

-ˌgāt

plural -s

: a papal envoy on a special mission (as the conveying of the insignia of office to a newly named cardinal)

Word History

Etymology

French ablégat, from Latin ablegatus, past participle of ablegare "to send away," from ab- ab entry 1 + legare "to send on a commission, dispatch"

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

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