ambassador
UK[æmˈbæs.ə.dər]US[æmˈbæs.ə.dər]
n
a person who represents his or her own country in a foreign country, usually as the head of an embassy
n
a person who represents, speaks for, or advertises a particular organization, activity, or way of life
Morpheme Breakdown
amb
assad
or
amb
around
assad
to send
or
agent suffix
Etymology
the word 'ambassador' has a journey that begins with the concept of sending. its core derives from the vulgar latin term 'ambactiare', meaning 'to go on a mission', which itself evolved from latin 'ambactus', a servant or vassal, a loanword from gaulish. the gaulish term is thought to be related to the proto-celtic 'ambaxtos', meaning 'servant', and ultimately from the proto-indo-european root 'ambhi-', meaning 'around'. the medieval latin form 'ambasiator' solidified the structure, combining the sense of being sent around (on a circuit) with an agent suffix. this evolved through old french 'ambassadeur' into english, transforming from a general messenger into the specific, high-ranking diplomatic representative we know today.
Analysis
Structure: amb (around) + assad (to send) + or (agent suffix)
amb- from latin 'ambi-' meaning 'around, both'. -assad- from vulgar latin 'assadare', a variant of latin 'ex- + mittere' (to send out). -or from latin '-ator', an agent noun suffix.
Examples
the french ambassador presented his credentials to the president.
she is a great ambassador for the sport, always promoting its positive values.
he was appointed ambassador to the united nations.