diplomat
(ˈdɪpləʊmæt)
Also -ate.
[a. F. diplomate, a back-formation from diplomatique, after aristocrate, aristocratique.]
One employed or skilled in diplomacy; a diplomatist.
| 1813 Sir R. Wilson Diary I. 312 The diplomates will..have to rest on their arms until the bayonets have clashed. 1838 Lytton Alice 96 He was the special favourite of the female diplomats. 1870 E. Peacock Ralf Skirl. III. 204 A parliamentary debater and diplomat in foreign service. 1885 Mabel Collins Prettiest Woman v, She went everywhere as a diplomate and a political spy. |
Hence diˈplomatess, a female diplomat.
| 1874 Greville Mem. Geo. IV (1875) II. xix. 325 This clever, intriguing, agreeable diplomatess. 1890 Athenæum 1 Feb. 141/2 The Russian diplomatess of reality and the Russian diplomatess of, say, M. Sardou, have very little in common. |