deputy Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun someone authorized to exercise the powers of sheriff in emergencies
    deputy sheriff.
  2. noun an assistant with power to act when his superior is absent
    lieutenant.
  3. noun a member of the lower chamber of a legislative assembly (such as in France)
  4. noun a person appointed to represent or act on behalf of others
    surrogate.

WordNet

Dep"u*ty noun
Etymology
F. député, fr. LL. deputatus. See Depute.
Wordforms
plural Deputies
Definitions
  1. One appointed as the substitue of another, and empowered to act for him, in his name or his behalf; a substitute in office; a lieutenant; a representative; a delegate; a vicegerent; as, the deputy of a prince, of a sheriff, of a township, etc.
    There was then [in the days of Jehoshaphat] no king in Edom; a deputy was king. 1 Kings xxii. 47.
    God's substitute, His deputy anointed in His sight. Shak.
    ✍ Deputy is used in combination with the names of various executive officers, to denote an assistant empowered to act in their name; as, deputy collector, deputy marshal, deputy sheriff.
  2. A member of the Chamber of Deputies. France Syn. -- Substitute; representative; legate; delegate; envoy; agent; factor.

Webster 1913