Legate - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition legate

Definition :

Legate, a deputy, an ambassador, the Pope's nuncio.

There are three kinds:-(1) Legates a latere, being such as the Pope commissions to take his place in councils, and so called, because he never gives this office to any but his favourites and confidants, who are always a latere-at his side. (2) Legates de latee or legati dati, those entrusted with apostolical legation, and acting under a special commission. (3) Legates by office, or legati nati, those that were legates by virtue of their offices, as, in England, the Archbishop of Canterbury informer times, Encyc. Londin.