arch. Also imb-. [A variant (in mod. archaistic use more frequent) of AMBASSAGE, q.v. In ordinary language superseded by EMBASSY.]
1. The sending or despatch of ambassadors, or of an ambassador.
1561. T. N[orton], Calvin’s Inst., III. ii. (1634), 272. That liberal Embassage by which God reconcileth the world to himselfe.
1839. Yeowell, Anc. Brit. Ch., v. (1847), 48. The embassage to Rome may be accounted for.
1881. Roden Noel, in Contemp. Rev., April, 569.
| Divide to let thy torrent coursers flee | |
| With thunderous embassage to the great Sea. |
2. The business confided to, or message conveyed by, an ambassador.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 179. These wordes were … gyuen to hym as the embassage of god.
1580. Sidney, Arcadia (1622), 440. Let it embassage beare your grieues to show.
1621. Quarles, Esther (1717), 34. Nor did they question whether … false the Prophet were, that brought th’ Embassage.
1821. Scott, Kenilw., xvii. I had settled to send thee thither upon a secret embassage.
3. The position of an ambassador; ambassadorship.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., I. ii. § 1. B 4. Carneades the Philosopher came in Embassage to Rome.
1677. Govt. Venice, 279. To … lessen any thing of the Honours of his Embassage.
1863. P. S. Worsley, Poems & Transl., 6. So shall my vast renown of embassage Flash wide conviction.
4. A body of persons sent on a mission, or as a deputation, to or from a sovereign, etc.; the ambassador, his retinue, and surroundings.
1621. G. Sandys, Ovid’s Met., VII. (1626), 139.
| The Attick ship attain’d their friendly shore: | |
| Which Cephalus, and his embassage, bore. |
1663. Marvell, Corr., xliv. Wks. 1872–5, II. 92, note. To make me goe along with him Secretary to those Embassages.
1829. Scott, Anne of G., viii. The members of the embassage.
