consul
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.con·sul
noun \ˈkän(t)-səl\Definition of CONSUL
1
a : either of two annually elected chief magistrates of the Roman republic b : one of three chief magistrates of the French republic from 1799 to 1804
2
: an official appointed by a government to reside in a foreign country to represent the commercial interests of citizens of the appointing country
— con·sul·ar \-s(ə-)lər\ adjective
— con·sul·ship \-səl-ˌship\ noun
See Origin of CONSUL
Middle English, from Latin; perhaps akin to Latin consulere to consult
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Government and Politics Terms
consul
noun (Concise Encyclopedia)In the Roman republic, either of two annually elected chief magistrates. The consuls had sacred rights and near-absolute authority. They were nominated by the Senate and elected by the popular assembly; each could veto the other's decisions. As heads of state, they commanded the army, presided over the Senate and assemblies and acted on their decrees, and handled foreign affairs. At the end of his one-year term, a consul was generally appointed to serve as governor of a province. The office continued in weaker form under the empire.
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