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dignitary

[ dig-ni-ter-ee ]

/ ˈdɪg nɪˌtɛr i /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR dignitary ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural dig·ni·tar·ies.

a person who holds a high rank or office, as in the government or church.

Origin of dignitary

First recorded in 1665–75; dignit(y) + -ary

OTHER WORDS FROM dignitary

dig·ni·tar·i·al

[dig-ni-tair-ee-uh l] /ˌdɪg nɪˈtɛər i əl/, adjective

Words nearby dignitary

diglyceride, diglycol, diglycolic acid, dignified, dignify, dignitary, dignity, digonal, digoneutic, digoxin, digram

Example sentences from the Web for dignitaries

It was seen by a small delegation of star-struck prelates and dignitaries who later described the film as “moving.”

Pope Francis Has the Pleasure of Meeting Angelina Jolie for a Few Seconds |Barbie Latza Nadeau |January 8, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
A few blocks away, dignitaries, including Tony Blair, held court in the upscale Serena Hotel.

Rwanda Remembers 100 Days of Terror on Genocide’s 20th Anniversary |Nina Strochlic |April 8, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
In autumn, the kitchen had to serve squash soup to visiting Korean dignitaries.

12 Juicy Bits From Michelle Obama’s Garden Book |Alex Klein |May 31, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Plus, check out photos of celebrities and dignitaries arriving at the state dinner.

President Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron Share a Symbolic Make-Nice Moment |Eleanor Clift |March 14, 2012 |DAILY BEAST

The foundation then distributes the art, either as gifts or on loan, to embassies and dignitaries around the world.

The Story Behind Obama's Gift |Claire Howorth |July 22, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
The rostrum became crowded with dignitaries bent on paying the same homage to Anibal Tabio.

The Five Arrows |Allan Chase
Once a group of dignitaries had entered the hall and, with smiles and profuse bows, inspected the prisoners.

Astounding Stories of Super-Science, May, 1930 |Various
Four dignitaries and eight canons performed the functions of the cathedral, and served the fifty parishes allied with it.

The Cathedrals of Southern France |Francis Miltoun
Bolkonski was invited everywhere, and had to spend the whole morning calling on the principal Austrian dignitaries.

War and Peace |Leo Tolstoy
"You can scarcely wish over-well to the Church, when you desire to be one of its dignitaries," said Davis, with a sarcastic grin.

Davenport Dunn, Volume 2 (of 2) |Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for dignitaries

dignitary

/ (ˈdɪɡnɪtərɪ, -trɪ) /

noun plural -taries

a person of high official position or rank, esp in government or the church