1. Roman law. An official who undertakes a special mission for the emperor, or an official or body such as a municipality.
2. Roman law. A person deputed to assist or act for the emperor, a governor, or a general in a military or administrative activity.
3. A papal representative who may or may not have both diplomatic and ecclesiastical status; a diplomatic agent of the Vatican. Cf. NUNCIO(1); INTERNUNCIO(3).
legate a latere (ay lat-[schwa]-ree). See legatus a latere under LEGATUS.
legate missus (mis-[schwa]s). See legatus missus under LEGATUS.
legate natus (nay-t[schwa]s). See legatus natus under LEGATUS.
4. A representative of a state or the highest authority in a state; an ambassador; a person commissioned to represent a country in a foreign country.
— Also termed legatus. — legatine, adj.
legate (l[schwa]-gayt), vb. To give or leave as a legacy; to make a testamentary gift of (property); BEQUEATH.
