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envoy

envoy¹ definition

en·voy (än′vo̵i′, en′-)

noun

a messenger; agent
an agent sent by a government or ruler to transact diplomatic business; specif., a diplomat (envoy extraordinary) ranking just below an ambassador

Etymology: Fr envoyé < pp. of envoyer, to send < OFr envoier < en- (L in), in + voie (L via: see via), way

envoy² definition

en·voy (än′vo̵i′, en′-)

noun

a postscript to a poem, essay, or book, containing a dedication, climactic summary, explanation, etc.; specif., a short, concluding stanza of this kind added to a ballade and some other verse forms

Etymology: ME envoye < OFr envoy, lit., a sending < envoier: see envoy

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.