embassy
/ˈɛmbəsi
/noun (plural embassies)
1The official residence or offices of an ambassador: the Chilean embassy in Moscow...
- There are about 1,530 business establishments in Makati, including 53 embassies and consular offices, enough to keep the city's bomb squad on their toes night and day.
- A larger demonstration is due to take place today with protesters planning to march past the US ambassador's residence and the British embassy.
- An official at the Malaysian embassy said that the factory which be would situated in Otjimuise in Windhoek, would be up and running by September.
Synonyms
consulate, legation, ministry
1.1The staff working in an embassy: the embassy denied any involvement in the murder...
- The American embassy restricted its staff to the diplomatic quarters of their cities for all but essential duties.
- Ousted Philippine President Joseph Estrada and several foreign embassies in Manila denied Thursday a Thai newspaper report that Estrada tried unsuccessfully to seek asylum abroad.
- The embassy says its own staff have been advised against taking commercial planes.
2chiefly historical A deputation or mission sent by one ruler or state to another: Worsley failed to be selected to join the embassy to Sweden...
- The Greeks send an embassy to Achilles requesting his return to battle in exchange for treasure and an unharmed Briseis.
- Aeschines was sent on an embassy to Megalopolis where he sought to dissuade the assembly of the Arcadians from dealings with Philip II.
- They even sent an embassy to England's ally, the Duke of Burgundy, and implored him to protect them.
Synonyms
envoy, representative, legate, delegate, emissary;
delegation, deputation, delegacy, legation, (diplomatic) mission
archaic embassage
Origin
Late 16th century (originally also as ambassy denoting the position of ambassador): from Old French ambasse, based on Latin ambactus 'servant'. Compare with ambassador.
Originally this had the spelling variant ambassy, showing its relationship to Late Middle English ambassador (which is also found spelt embassador), and as well as being an official residence, it denoted the position of ambassador or the sending out of ambassadors. The source is Old French ambasse, based on Latin ambactus ‘servant’.