Envoy, a diplomatic minister of the second order—i.e. inferior in rank to an ambassador. Like the latter, he receives his credentials immediately from the sovereign, though he represents not his prince's personal dignity, but only his affairs. The envoy is thus superior in rank to the Chargé d'Affaires (q.v.). See also AMBASSADOR, and CONSUL.
Envoy
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 4: Dionysius to Friction, p. 390
Source scan(s): p. 0401