deputy

[ dep-yuh-tee ]
/ ˈdɛp yə ti /

noun, plural dep·u·ties.

a person appointed or authorized to act as a substitute for another or others.
a person appointed or elected as assistant to a public official, serving as successor in the event of a vacancy.
a person representing a constituency in certain legislative bodies.

adjective

appointed, elected, or serving as an assistant or second-in-command.

Origin of deputy

1375–1425; late Middle English depute < Old French, noun use of past participle of deputer to depute

OTHER WORDS FROM deputy

dep·u·ty·ship, noun sub·dep·u·ty, noun, plural sub·dep·u·ties.

Example sentences from the Web for deputy

British Dictionary definitions for deputy

deputy
/ (ˈdɛpjʊtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

  1. a person appointed to act on behalf of or represent another
  2. (as modifier)the deputy chairman
a member of the legislative assembly or of the lower chamber of the legislature in various countries, such as France
British mining another word for fireman (def. 4)

Word Origin for deputy

C16: from Old French depute, from deputer to appoint; see depute