| posp. |
ambassade; embassy (embassy (plural embassies) 1. The function or duty of an ambassador. 2. An organization or group of officials who permanently represent a sovereign state in a second sovereign state or with respect to an international organization such as the United Nations. The American embassy to France is located in Paris. 3. A temporary mission representing a sovereign state. The Japanese embassy to the United States traveled to Washington, D.C., where it was received by James Buchanan, before continuing on to New York and then returning to Japan, making several stops on the way. The official residence of such a group, or of an ambassador. ***Usage notes Today the term embassy generally refers to a permanent organization, housed in a permanent building or offices, maintaining ties between nations. In the past, this was more often a temporary mission (as in Japanese Embassy to the United States (1860)) – the delegation would return home following meetings with foreign officials – and this is reflected in some traditional usages and related diplomatic terms, such as Head of Mission. WT Alexander Demidov); High Commission (DoctorKto); embassage; mission |
