An official (from the Latin Officialis, person – or object – related to an officium, v., since the Romans the staff of a high office bearer such as a governor) is, in the primary sense, someone who holds an office (i.e. function, mandate, regardless whether it carries a working space with it) in an organisation, of any kind, but participating in the exercise of authority (either his own or that of his superior and/or employer, public or legally private). An elected official is a person who is an official by virtue of an election; officials may also be appointed, ex officio (i.e. by virtue of another office, often in a specified capacity, such as presiding, advisory, secretary), cooptated, or sometimes hereditary.

Word History

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Official as a noun is recorded in English since 1314, from Old French official (12c.), from Latin officialis "attendant to a magistrate, public official," noun use of the original adjective officialis "of or belonging to duty, service, or office," from officium ' office'. Meaning "person in charge of some public work or duty" first recorded 1555. The adjective is first attested in English in 1533, via Old French oficial, again from officialis.

• Officialese "language of officialdom" first recorded 1884.

Uses of the noun

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In Roman Antiquity

An officialis (plural officiales) was the official term (somewhat comparable to a modern civil servant) for any member of the officium (staff) of a high dignitary such as a governor.

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Officials fighting diabetes: By Justin Sims GLADSTONE – Health departments and hospitals across the nation are .. http://bit.ly/4xDVly
LiveMyFreeLife (Dionne Clarke) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:11:24 -0000
Officials fighting diabetes: By Justin Sims GLADSTONE – Health departments and hospitals across the nation are .. http://bit.ly/4xDVly
Aww.. We lost 43-14! Ugh, ohh well dont you love it when assholes run the score up! && officials dont know how to call a ballgame:(
vhscheer2012 (Chelsea Darracott) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:10:14 -0000
Aww.. We lost 43-14! Ugh, ohh well dont you love it when assholes run the score up! && officials dont know how to call a ballgame:(
Israel Cuts Off Arms Shipment To Hezbollah: Officials in Jerusalem had not dared even to dream of better timing.. http://bit.ly/V3I5k
papitosplace (Papitos Place) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:10:09 -0000
Israel Cuts Off Arms Shipment To Hezbollah: Officials in Jerusalem had not dared even to dream of better timing.. http://bit.ly/V3I5k
More than $4.7M Stimulus 2 schools in N.Chicago. Federal officials said 473 teachers job saved but the district employs only 290 teachers.
StopTaxingUs (Stop Taxing Us) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:08:10 -0000
More than $4.7M Stimulus 2 schools in N.Chicago. Federal officials said 473 teachers job saved but the district employs only 290 teachers.
Football: Florida head coach Urban Meyer fined $30,000 for criticizing officials
CollegeTop25 (Mike Eshelman) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:05:13 -0000
Football: Florida head coach Urban Meyer fined $30,000 for criticizing officials
ABC: 'Cop Killer' Gun Used In Ft. Hood Shooting, Officials Said: Suspected massacre weapon purchased legall.. http://bit.ly/2QZ12S
NewsMashup (News Mashup) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:05:04 -0000
ABC: 'Cop Killer' Gun Used In Ft. Hood Shooting, Officials Said: Suspected massacre weapon purchased legall.. http://bit.ly/2QZ12S

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