Definition of: legate

(leg′it) noun
1. A person accredited by one state or nation as its diplomatic representative to the court or government of another state or nation; an ambassador; envoy.
2. A representative of the pope in various functions, political or ecclesiastical.
3. In ancient Roman history: a An ambassador sent from ancient Rome to a foreign nation, or one sent by a foreign nation to Rome. b A person accompanying a Roman general into the field as adviser, or a subordinate in command. c A governor of a province
4. A district governed by a legate; specifically, formerly one of the six provinces of the Romagna. See synonyms under DELEGATE. [<OF legat <L legatus, pp. of legare send as a deputy, bequeath]
—leg′ate·ship noun
—leg′a·tine (-tin, -tīn), leg·an·tine (-ən·tin, -tīn) adjective