Middle English Dictionary Entry
ambassāde n.
Entry Info
| Forms | ambassāde n. Also ambass(i)at, em-, en-, in-. |
| Etymology | OF & ML |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
The office or function of an ambassador, diplomatic service or activity; ambassadorial privilege or authority; in (on, of) ~, as diplomatic representative or envoy.
Associated quotations
- (1418) Proc.Privy C.2.239 : John Hull haath long tyme be in oure ambassiat and service in the parties of Spaigne.
- (1421) in Rymer's Foedera (1709-10)10.161 : Instruction to goo en Ambassiate..to his Brethyr.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)63.70 (v.1:p.393) : From the high toure of heven and from the consistorie of the hole trynyte was sent an angel in ambassiat, seyeng .. 'Heil ful of grace.'
- a1475(1450) Scrope DSP (Bod 943)248/11 : If thou muste sende a messanger in enbasset [vr. ambassad], sende a wise man.
- -?-(a1461) Doc.in HMC Rep.3 App.279b : Grete governance that the seid duke had hier in this lande..and the grete use of ambassad.
- -?-(a1461) Doc.in HMC Rep.3 App.280a : Whan he was at Toures in ambassiad.
- c1453(c1437) Brut-1436 (Hrl 53)571 : There in enbasshat for þe Kyng of Englond.
- (1462) Paston (Gairdner)4.50 : The Erles of Warrewyk, of Essex..and other go in to Scotland of inbassat.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) Ctn.(Hrl 2261)489 : [They] were sende on ambassiate unto the kynge off Fraunce for peas or truse to be taken betwene..Ynglonde and..Fraunce.
- a1600(1472) Rec.Bluemantle (Jul C.6)384 : [The] Duc of Bourgoyne..sent in embassat..the lord Gruthuse.
2.
(a) A diplomatic mission, the errand of an ambassador or an embassy, the charge entrusted to an ambassador or envoy; (b) the message conveyed by an ambassador; (c) any message.
Associated quotations
a
- (1417) Let.in Ellis Orig.Let.ser.3.161 : Thambassiatours of..the Duc of Baire..have..doon theire Ambassiat in suche wyse as we halde us wel apaide.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.5372 : I consaille..Of oon assent to make ambassiat.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)3728 : Ther was not on..That wold gon on this ambassyat.
- (1435) RParl.4.493a : Thambassiat last y made for yis mater into Flaundres.
- (1450) RParl.5.178a : After his comyng into this youre Reame from the same Ambassiat.
- -?-(a1461) Doc.in HMC Rep.3 App.280a : After his first ambassiad.
- c1453(c1437) Brut-1436 (Hrl 53)562/11 : Þe Erle retournet to þe Kyng, notifying vnto hym in writyng al þe affecte of his enbassiat.
- a1475(a1456) Shirley Death Jas.(Add 5467)23 : The Busshope of Urbinate, legate of..the Pope, then beyng in Scotteland upon his ambassite.
- (1461) Paston (Gairdner)3.312 : Goyng uppon an ambassate to the Frenshe Kyng.
- a1500(1442) Let.Marg.Anjou in Camd.86 (Add 46846)81 : In this youre ambassiade that hit hath liked youre highnesse to send me.
b
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.1478 : Þou wer a fole..To me to bryng þis embassiat.
- (1438) Proc.Privy C.5.100 : The King hath herd þer ambassad & þat þat þei have declared.
- ?a1500(a1471) Brut-1461(2) (Lyell 34)48 : He..went forth to Provynce, and purposid his ambassiat and message.
c
- (1395) Wycl.12 Concl.(Th 17)304 : Þis is oure ambaciat [L ambaciata] þat Crist has comaundid us for to pursue.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)1791 : Whan þe aungel þus his ambacyat Had brefly doon.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)91.25 (v.2:p.110) : Whan Austyn .. had doon his ambassiat, that is to seyn had prechid the wordis of life, the kyng aunswerid ageyn.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)70/201 : Now myn inbassett I haue seyd to ȝow thus.
3.
(a) The body of persons entrusted with a diplomatic mission, an embassy, a deputation; (b) an ambassador or envoy.
Associated quotations
a
- (1425) RParl.4.277a : Power..to sende Ambassade to ye Duc of Burgoigne.
- (1435) Proc.Privy C.5.98 : ij bisshoppes, j erle, j baron, j knyȝt, j doctour in solempne ambassad.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)5.1330 : A consul..Which dedli hatid the said[e] Perseus..Of his ambassiat hauyng but disdeyn.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)3170 : Þe maydyns fadyr too A ful solemne ambassyet þei dide send.
- (1450) RParl.5.178b : Ye..have send many solempne Ambassates to the same Charles.
- (1461) Paston (Gairdner)3.312 : We shall have a gret ambassate out of Scotland.
- a1525(?1435) Cov.Leet Bk.173 : To send our solempne ambassiate of the lordes of our blode..to mete with thambassiatours of our seid aduersarie at Arras.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.142 : The kyng then gaue vnto ye hie ambassate Full riche giftes.
b
- -?-(a1461) Doc.in HMC Rep.3 App.279b : The seid duke..toke upon him with other notable ambassades to goo in to Normandie.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.142 : He..sent his letters with his ambassatis to passe to Roome with theim in compaignie.