Main Entry:

char·gé d'af·faires

Pronunciation:

\(ˌ)shär-ˌzhā-də-ˈfer\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural chargés d'affaires \-ˌzhā-də-, -ˌzhāz-də-\

Etymology:

French, literally, one charged with affairs

Date:

1767

1 : a subordinate diplomat who substitutes for an absent ambassador or minister 2 : a diplomat inferior in rank to an ambassador or minister who heads a mission when no ambassador or minister is assigned