embassy English · revision 7554

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1579|origins=xtg *ambaktos}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɛmbəsi/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|ambassée|alt=embassée|t=mission, office of an ambassador]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from Old Italian [[m|it|ambasciata]], from Old Occitan [[m|pro|ambaisada|t=office of an ambassador]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) going back to Latin ambactus, servant, vassal,^(NODE 1998)^(Cresswell 2021) from Gaulish [[m|xtg|*ambaktos|t=dependant, vassal]], literally one going around.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline derives this from PIE *ambhi-, around, and *ag-, to drive.^(Etymonline) In early use it was also ambassy, which shows its relation to [[ambassador]].^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The function or office of an ambassador, and the sending of ambassadors: 1579.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Earlier forms were ambassade (early 15th century) and embassade (late 15th century), from an Old French variant.^(Etymonline) The message delivered by an ambassador is an obsolete sense of 1595.^(OED 1989) The body of persons sent on a mission is from 1671.^(OED 1989) The official residence and office of an ambassador is from 1764.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * early 15th century – ambassade.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1579 – office of an ambassador.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1595 – an ambassador's message.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1671 – a body of envoys.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1764 – an ambassador's residence.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The building with the offices, or residence, of an [[ambassador]] and staff.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The position or function of an ambassador.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A [[mission]] to a foreign government headed by an ambassador.^(AHD)

+ # An ambassador and his or her staff.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ambassador]]

+ * [[ambassadress]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}