What is "vice consul"

Consul \Con"sul\ (k[o^]n"s[u^]l), n. [L., prob. fr. consulere to deliberate. See Consult.]

1. (Rom. Antiq.) One of the two chief magistrates of the republic.

   Note: They were chosen annually, originally from the patricians only, but later from the plebeians also.

2. A senator; a counselor. [Obs.]

   Many of the consuls, raised and met, Are at the duke's already.
   --Shak.

   With kings and consuls of the earth.
   --Job. iii. 14 (Douay Ver. )

3. (Fr. Hist.) One of the three chief magistrates of France from 1799 to 1804, who were called, respectively, first, second, and third consul.

4. An official commissioned to reside in some foreign country, to care for the commercial interests of the citizens of the appointing government, and to protect its seamen.

   Consul general, a consul of the first rank, stationed in an important place, or having jurisdiction in several places or over several consuls.

   Vice consul, a consular officer holding the place of a consul during the consul's absence or after he has been relieved.

Vice \Vice\, a. [Cf. F. vice-. See Vice, prep.] Denoting one who in certain cases may assume the office or duties of a superior; designating an officer or an office that is second in rank or authority; as, vice president; vice agent; vice consul, etc. Vice admiral. [Cf. F. vice-amiral.]

1. An officer holding rank next below an admiral. By the existing laws, the rank of admiral and vice admiral in the United States Navy will cease at the death of the present incumbents.

2. A civil officer, in Great Britain, appointed by the lords commissioners of the admiralty for exercising admiralty jurisdiction within their respective districts. Vice admiralty, the office of a vice admiral. Vice-admiralty court, a court with admiralty jurisdiction, established by authority of Parliament in British possessions beyond the seas. --Abbott. Vice chamberlain, an officer in court next in rank to the lord chamberlain. [Eng.] Vice chancellor.

   1. (Law) An officer next in rank to a chancellor.

   2. An officer in a university, chosen to perform certain duties, as the conferring of degrees, in the absence of the chancellor.

3. (R. C. Ch.) The cardinal at the head of the Roman Chancery.

   Vice consul [cf. F. vice-consul], a subordinate officer, authorized to exercise consular functions in some particular part of a district controlled by a consul.

   Vice king, one who acts in the place of a king; a viceroy.

   Vice legate [cf. F. vice-l['e]gat], a legate second in rank to, or acting in place of, another legate.

   Vice presidency, the office of vice president.

   Vice president [cf. F. vice-pr['e]sident], an officer next in rank below a president.