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