embassy

views updated May 29 2018

em·bas·sy / ˈembəsē/ • n. (pl. -sies) 1. the official residence or offices of an ambassador: the Chilean embassy in Moscow. ∎  the staff working in such a building. ∎  the position or function of an ambassador.2. chiefly hist. a deputation or mission sent by one ruler or state to another.

embassy

views updated May 29 2018

embassy function or office of an ambassador; †message of an ambassador XVI; body of persons sent as ambassadors XVII. In early use also ambassy. — OF. ambas(s)ée, corr. to Pr. ambaissada, OSp. ambaxada, It. ambasciata, medL. ambasc(i)ata (f. Rom. *ambactiāre; see AMBASSADOR).