emissary
UK: ˈɛmɪsəri | US: ˈɛmɪˌsɛri
n. a person sent on a special mission, typically as a diplomatic representative
n. an agent or messenger employed to convey secret or confidential information
emissary = e<out> + miss<send> + ary<noun suffix>
- e<out>: From Latin ex- (out), indicating direction or movement away.
- miss<send>: From Latin mittere (to send), root of words like "mission" and "transmit."
- ary<noun suffix>: Denotes a person associated with an action or role (e.g., "missionary").
Etymology Origin:
The word "emissary" traces back to Latin emissarius, meaning "one sent out." It combines e- (out) + missus (past participle of mittere, to send). Historically, emissaries were trusted individuals dispatched to negotiate or gather intelligence, reflecting the word's core idea of purposeful delegation. Over time, it evolved into English with a focus on diplomatic or covert roles.
The king dispatched an emissary to negotiate peace with the neighboring kingdom.
She acted as an emissary between the two rival factions.
The journalist was suspected of being an emissary for foreign spies.
During the Cold War, emissaries often carried sensitive messages between superpowers.
The company sent an emissary to discuss the merger with potential partners.