Gail Marie
An embassy is just a building?
embassy. (1534) 1. The building in which a diplomatic body is located; esp., the residence of the ambassador. 2. A body of diplomatic representatives headed by an ambassador; a diplomatic mission on the ambassadorial level. 3. The mission, business, and function of an ambassador. Cf. LEGATION. [
ambassador. 1. A diplomatic officer of the highest rank, usu. designated by a government as its resident representative in a foreign state. - Ambassadors represent the sovereign as well as the nation and enjoy many privileges while abroad in their official capacity, including immunity. Ambassadors are distinguished from ministers and envoys, who represent only the state where they are from and not the sovereign. Ambassadors are also generally distinguished from certain legates who have only ecclesiastical authority. But the papal nuncio and some legates, such as the legate a latere, bear the rank of ambassador.