chargé d'affaires

noun

char·​gé d'af·​faires (ˌ)shär-ˌzhā-də-ˈfer 

plural chargés d'affaires (ˌ)shär-ˌzhā-də-ˈfer 

-ˌzhāz-də-

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

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, one charged with affairs

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1