consul
consul — noun
- consulsingular
- consulsplural
1. an official sent by a country to live in a foreign city and help people from tha
an official sent by a country to live in a foreign city and help people from that country who travel or live there. A consul also looks after trade and business matters between the two countries.
When Wei lost his passport in Seoul, the Japanese consul helped him get an emergency travel document.
The French consul in Mumbai organised a trade fair to connect local businesses with French exporters.
consul + organises trade-related events
If you are arrested abroad, contact your country's consul immediately for legal assistance.
- diplomat
a broader term for any official representing their country abroad; diplomats usually work at embassies in capital cities
- ambassador
the highest-ranking diplomat sent to a foreign country; an ambassador represents the head of state, while a consul focuses on citizen services
用法筆記
A consul is different from an ambassador — an ambassador works in a capital city and deals with high-level political matters, while a consul operates in a major city and focuses on helping individual citizens and businesses.
常見錯誤
2. one of two chief officials elected each year to govern the Roman Republic. The c
one of two chief officials elected each year to govern the Roman Republic. The consuls commanded the army, proposed laws, and served as the highest authority in the state.
Julius Caesar served as consul in 59 BC before leading his army across the Rubicon.
served as consul — verb + consul to describe holding the office
The two consuls held office for just one year, preventing anyone from becoming too powerful.
Elena studied how Roman consuls shared power with the Senate during the Punic Wars.
- magistrate
a general term for a civil officer in ancient Rome; consul is a specific type of magistrate
- proconsul
a former consul who governed a province after his term ended
用法筆記
This sense refers specifically to the Roman Republic (roughly 509–27 BC). The same title was later used in revolutionary France (1799–1804), but that usage is rare and not covered here.