Lēg'ate, n.

n. [Lat. legātus, from legāre, legātum, to send with a commission or charge; It. legato, Sp. & Pg. legado, Pr. legat, Fr. légat.]

1. An embassador or envoy.
2. The pope’s embassador to a foreign prince or state; a cardinal or bishop sent as the pope’s representative or commissioner to a sovereign prince.

☞ Legates are of three kinds: legates a latere, or counselors and assistants of his holiness; legates de latere, who are not cardinals; and legates by office.