consul

/ˈkɑnsəl/

/ˈkɒnsəl/

Other forms: consuls

A consul is a diplomat appointed to live in a foreign country, to protect both her country's interests and citizens living abroad. If you're an American living in Poland, take your troubles to the American consul.

In ancient Rome, there were two consuls elected every year to be in charge of the whole city. Like many words, this one developed new meanings and spellings. One of those is council, like your city council, who make up part of city government. The other is consul in the modern sense: the person from one country who is appointed to represent his country to a foreign government.

Definitions of consul

1. noun

   a diplomat appointed by a government to protect its commercial interests and help its citizens in a foreign country
   type of:

   diplomat, diplomatist

   an official engaged in international negotiations
2. noun

   one of the two magistrates elected annually in ancient Rome
   type of:

   functionary, official

   a worker who holds or is invested with an office