consul — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Either of the two heads of government and state of the Roman Republic or the equivalent nominal post under the Roman and Byzantine Empires.

   Usage

   • Historical

2. Any of the three heads of government and state of France between 1799 and 1804.

   Usage

   • Historical

3. A count or earl.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

4. A councillor A member of early modern city councils in southern France and Catalonia.

   Usage

   • Historical
   • Obsolete

5. A councillor An officer of the trading and merchant companies of early modern England.

   Usage

   • Historical
   • Obsolete

6. A councillor An official in various early modern port and trading towns, elected by resident foreign merchants to settle disputes among themselves and to represent them to the local authorities.

   Usage

   • Historical
   • Obsolete

7. An official residing in major foreign towns to represent and protect the interests of the merchants and citizens of their country.

   Usage

   • broadly

8. A high government official, generally either a coruler himself or a counsellor directly under the ruler.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   Both we will raigne as Conſuls of the earth, And mightie kings ſhall be our Senators.

   And many of the Conſuls, rais'd and met, Are at the Dukes already.

   More examples (1)

   With kinges and conſules of the earth, which build themſelves ſolitarie places:

Noun

1. a diplomat appointed by a government to protect its commercial interests and help its citizens in a foreign country

   Broader terms

   diplomatdiplomatist