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Simple English definitions for legal terms
plenipotentiary
Read a random definition: Redirect examination
A quick definition of plenipotentiary:
A plenipotentiary is a person who has been given full power and authority to act on behalf of someone else. This can include managing a government department or representing a country in diplomatic affairs. A minister plenipotentiary is a specific type of diplomatic representative who ranks below an ambassador but still has full power and authority. They are often seen as the personal representative of a head of state. In simpler terms, a plenipotentiary is someone who has been given the power to do something important for someone else.
A more thorough explanation:
A plenipotentiary is a person who has full power to do something or act on behalf of another. They are fully commissioned to represent someone else.
- A minister plenipotentiary is a diplomatic representative who ranks below an ambassador but has full power and authority as a governmental envoy. They are often seen as the personal representative of a head of state.
- A foreign minister is a government official who manages a country's foreign affairs. They are equivalent to the U.S. Secretary of State.
- A public minister is a high diplomatic representative, such as an ambassador or envoy, but not including a commercial representative like a consul.
- A religious minister is a person authorized by a Christian church to perform religious functions.
These examples illustrate how a plenipotentiary can be a diplomatic representative, a government official, or a religious figure who has full power and authority to act on behalf of someone else.