emissary

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: em=is=sar=y

CIDE DICTIONARY

emissary, n. [L. emissarius, fr. emittere, emissum, to send out: cf. F. émissaire. See Emit.].

 An agent employed to advance, in a covert manner, the interests of his employers; one sent out by any power that is at war with another, to create dissatisfaction among the people of the latter.  [1913 Webster]
"Buzzing emissaries fill the ears
Of listening crowds with jealousies and fears."

Syn. -- Emissary, Spy.

emissary, a. 

•  Exploring; spying.  B. Jonson.  [1913 Webster]
•  Applied to the veins which pass out of the cranium through apertures in its walls.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

emissary, n. (pl. -ies) a person sent on a special mission (usu. diplomatic, formerly usu. odious or underhand).

Etymology

L emissarius scout, spy (as EMIT)

THESAURUS

emissary

Hermes, Iris, Mercury, Paul Revere, Pheidippides, ambassador, ambassadress, apostolic delegate, attache, bearer, career diplomat, carrier, chancellor, charge, commercial attache, commissar, commissary, commissionaire, commissioner, consul, consul general, consular agent, courier, delegate, diplomat, diplomatic, diplomatic agent, diplomatic courier, diplomatist, envoy, envoy extraordinary, estafette, express, foreign service officer, go-between, herald, internuncio, legate, message-bearer, messenger, military attache, minister, minister plenipotentiary, minister resident, nuncio, plenipotentiary, post, postboy, postrider, resident, runner, secretary, secretary of legation, vice-consul, vice-legate

ROGET THESAURUS

emissary

Consignee

N consignee, trustee, nominee, committee, agent, delegate, commissary, commissioner, emissary, envoy, commissionaire, messenger, diplomatist, diplomat, diplomate, corps diplomatique, embassy, ambassador, embassador, representative, resident, consul, legate, nuncio, internuncio, charge d'affaires, attache, vicegerent, plenipotentiary, functionary, placeman, curator, treasurer, factor, bailiff, clerk, secretary, attorney, advocate, solicitor, proctor, broker, underwriter, commission agent, auctioneer, one's man of business, factotum, caretaker, dalal, dubash, garnishee, gomashta, negotiator, go-between, middleman, under agent, employe, servant, referee, arbitrator, traveler, bagman, commis-voyageur, touter, commercial traveler, drummer, traveling man, newspaper correspondent, own correspondent, special correspondent.

Messenger

N messenger, envoy, emissary, legate, nuncio, internuncio, ambassador, marshal, flag bearer, herald, crier, trumpeter, bellman, pursuivant, parlementaire, apparitor, courier, runner, dak, estafette, Mercury, Iris, Ariel, commissionaire, errand boy, chore boy, newsboy, mail, overnight mail, express mail, next-day delivery, post, post office, letter bag, delivery service, United Parcel Service, UPS, Federal Express, Fedex, telegraph, telephone, cable, wire (electronic information transmission), carrier pigeon, (news) 532 reporter, gentleman of the press, representative of the press, penny-a-liner, special correspondent, own correspondent, spy, scout, informer.