(UNDER-1 6 a. Cf. G. untersecretär, Sw. undersekreter.)
Used esp. as the specific title of a secretary immediately subordinate to, or ranking below, a principal secretary of state.
1687. Miége, I. Sou-Secretaire, an Vnder-Secretary.
1692. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), II. 372. Said, Mr. Poultney goes undersecretary to Ireland.
1764. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. I. 376. I have known a great many undersecretaries.
1841. Penny Cycl., XXI. 176/2. Each [secretary] is assisted by two under-secretaries of state.
1876. Bancroft, Hist. U.S., III. xiii. 191. Consulted through the undersecretaries, Franklin gave advice on the conduct of the … war.
Hence Under-secretaryship.
1687. Miége, Gt. Fr. Dict., II.
1859. Lever, Dav. Dunn, lxiii. He might … mayhap have held some Lordship of This or Under-Secretaryship of That.
