émissaire

emissary, envoy

noun eh-mee-SEHR Rare

Origin: From Latin emissarius, 'one sent out'.

Usage Note

Émissaire refers to a person sent on a special diplomatic or secret mission. The phrase bouc émissaire ('scapegoat', literally 'emissary goat') is highly common in French. The two senses — diplomatic envoy and scapegoat — are etymologically connected through the biblical ritual of sending a goat into the wilderness.

Examples

"Le président envoie un émissaire à l'étranger."

Natural Translation

The president sends an emissary abroad.

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