agent general

Alternative form of agent-general

From agent + general, after French agent général, Italian agente generale.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌeɪdʒənt ˈdʒɛn(ə)ɹəl/

agent general (plural agents general)

1. (now rare) Someone acting as the representative of an organisation, country etc. [from 17th c.]
   • 1932, Duff Cooper, Talleyrand, Folio Society, published 2010, page 15:

     Appointed in 1780 to the position of agent-general of the clergy, he determined at once to make the most of the appointment.

2. Specifically, the representative of a British colony or, later, of a Canadian province or Australian state in key cities abroad. [from 19th c.]

Synonym: delegate general