delegate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a person appointed or elected to represent others
  2. verb transfer power to someone
    depute.
  3. verb give an assignment to (a person) to a post, or assign a task to (a person)
    depute; assign; designate.

WordNet

Del"e*gate noun
Etymology
L. delegatus, p. p. of delegare to send, delegate; de- + legare to send with a commission, to depute. See Legate.
Definitions
  1. Any one sent and empowered to act for another; one deputed to represent; a chosen deputy; a representative; a commissioner; a vicar.
  2. (a) One elected by the people of a territory to represent them in Congress, where he has the right of debating, but not of voting. (b) One sent by any constituency to act as its representative in a convention; as, a delegate to a convention for nominating officers, or for forming or altering a constitution. U.S.
Del"e*gate adjective
Etymology
L. delegatus, p. p.
Definitions
  1. Sent to act for a represent another; deputed; as, a delegate judge. "Delegate power." Strype.
Del"e*gate transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Delegated ; present participle & verbal noun Delegating
Definitions
  1. To send as one's representative; to empower as an ambassador; to send with power to transact business; to commission; to depute; to authorize.
  2. To intrust to the care or management of another; to transfer; to assign; to commit.
    The delegated administration of the law. Locke.
    Delegated executive power. Bancroft.
    The power exercised by the legislature is the people's power, delegated by the people to the legislative. J. B. Finch.

Webster 1913