Deputy

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈdÉ›pjÉ™ti/

Origin

French député, from Late Latin deputatus (appointed).

Full definition of deputy

Noun

1. One appointed as the substitute 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.
2. (in France): A member of the Chamber of Deputies, formerly called Corps Législatif
3. (Ireland) a member of Dáil Éireann, or the title of a member of Dáil Éireann. (Normally capitalised in both cases)Eamon Ryan is a Deputy in the Dáil.At today's meeting, Deputy Ryan will speak on local issues.

Usage notes

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.

Synonyms

• substitute
• representative
• legate
• delegate
• envoy
• agent

Hyponyms

• vice admiral
• vice director
• vicegerent
• vice president