Le"gal*ly, adv. In a legal manner.
Le*gan"tine (l*gn"tn), a. [Obs.] See Legatine.
Leg"a*ta*ry (lg"*t*r), n. [L. legatarius, fr. legaturius enjoined by a
last will: cf. F. légataire. See Legacy.] A legatee. [R.] Ayliffe.
Leg"ate (lg"t), n. [OE. legat, L. legatus, fr. legare to send with a
commission or charge, to depute, fr. lex, legis, law: cf. F. légat, It.
legato. See Legal.] 1. An ambassador or envoy.
2. An ecclesiastic representing the pope and invested with the
authority of the Holy See.
Legates are of three kinds: (a) Legates a latere, now always cardinals.
They are called ordinary or extraordinary legates, the former governing
provinces, and the latter class being sent to foreign countries on
extraordinary occasions. (b) Legati missi, who correspond to the
ambassadors of temporal governments. (c) Legati nati, or legates by
virtue of their office, as the archbishops of Salzburg and Prague.
3. (Rom. Hist.) (a) An official assistant given to a general or to the
governor of a province. (b) Under the emperors, a governor sent to a
province.
Leg`a*tee" (lg`*t"), n. [See Legacy.] (Law) One to whom a legacy is
bequeathed.
Leg"ate*ship (lg"t*shp), n. The office of a legate.
Leg"a*tine (-*tn), a. 1. Of or pertaining to a legate; as, legatine
power. Holinshed.
2. Made by, proceeding from, or under the sanction of, a legate; as, a
legatine constitution. Ayliffe.
Le*ga"tion (l*g"shn), n. [L. legatio: cf. F. légation, It. legazione.
See Legate.] 1. The sending forth or commissioning one person to act
for another. "The Divine legation of Moses." Bp. Warburton.
2. A legate, or envoy, and the persons associated with him in his
mission; an embassy; or, in stricter usage, a diplomatic minister and
his suite; a deputation.
3. The place of business or official residence of a diplomatic minister
at a foreign court or seat of government.