DictionaryRoot: -arius
Latin

-arius

connected with; a person concerned with

Forms

  • -arius
  • -ary — The ending shortened in French and English.
  • -aire — One French development of the ending.

Origin

A Latin ending for relationships, occupations, and associated things.

Note

Its descendants can name a person, a place, or a quality; the surrounding word determines the contribution.

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A formally dressed emissary presents a sealed diplomatic envelope to a seated official.
noun

emissary

EM-ih-sair-ee/ˈemɪseri/

A representative sent on a mission.

Etymology

An emissary is literally someone sent out. The Latin noun named a scout or spy; the selected meaning retains the idea of a person dispatched on someone else’s mission.

Full entry

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