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legate

noun
leg·​ate | \ ˈle-gət How to pronounce legate (audio) \

Definition of legate

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a usually official emissary

legate

verb
le·​gate | \ li-ˈgāt How to pronounce legate (audio) \
legated; legating

Definition of legate (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: bequeath sense 1
Other Words from legate Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about legate

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Other Words from legate

Noun

legateship \ ˈle-​gət-​ˌship How to pronounce legateship (audio) \ noun

Verb

legator \ li-​ˈgā-​tər How to pronounce legator (audio) \ noun

Did You Know?

Legate is a somewhat old-fashioned word, less used today than it was a century ago. More common is the synonym envoy. In the days before electronic communications, a legate often had particularly large responsibilities, since he couldn't check with his government to be sure he was doing the right thing. The Vatican still sends papal legates to represent the pope's point of view in negotiations.

Examples of legate in a Sentence

Noun

 the legate was charged with a list of objectives to accomplish on behalf of his country

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 The wife of the ailing emperor sends an Imperial legate — her nephew — to investigate. — N. K. Jemisin, New York Times, "Pirates, Drugs and Time Travel: The Best of New Science Fiction and Fantasy," 14 July 2017 That Francis forced Festing’s resignation without deigning to pick up Burke’s gauntlet was further vindication of the Pope, who will soon appoint his own legate to run the Order. — James Carroll, The New Yorker, "Pope Francis Is the Anti-Trump," 1 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'legate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of legate

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for legate

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French legat, from Latin legatus deputy, emissary, from past participle of legare to depute, send as emissary, bequeath, from leg-, lex

Verb

legatus, past participle of legare to bequeath

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More Definitions for legate

legate

noun
How to pronounce legate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of legate

: an official representative sent to a foreign country especially : an official representative of the pope

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More from Merriam-Webster on legate

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with legate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for legate

Spanish Central: Translation of legate

Nglish: Translation of legate for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about legate

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