agent general

English

Alternative forms

• agent-general

Etymology

From agent + general, after French agent général, Italian agente generale.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌeɪdʒənt ˈdʒɛn(ə)ɹəl/

Noun

agent general (plural agents general)

1. (now rare) Someone acting as the representative of an organisation, country etc. [from 17th c.]
   1. The representative of a British colony or, later, of a Canadian province or Australian state in key cities abroad. [from 19th c.]
   2. (historical, religion) An ecclesiastic elected to manage accounting and other matters for the Church of France.
      • 1932, Duff Cooper, Talleyrand, Folio Society, published 2010, page 15:

        Appointed in 1780 to the position of agent-general of the clergy, he determined at once to make the most of the appointment.

Synonyms

• delegate general

Translations

representative of organisation, country etc.

• French: agent général m