vicarious
[ vahy-kair-ee-uh s, vi- ]
/ vaɪˈkɛər i əs, vɪ- /
adjective
performed, exercised, received, or suffered in place of another: vicarious punishment.
taking the place of another person or thing; acting or serving as a substitute.
felt or enjoyed through imagined participation in the experience of others: a vicarious thrill.
Physiology.
noting or pertaining to a situation in which one organ performs part of the functions normally performed by another.
Origin of vicarious
OTHER WORDS FROM vicarious
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British Dictionary definitions for vicarious
vicarious
/ (vɪˈkɛərɪəs, vaɪ-) /
adjective
obtained or undergone at second hand through sympathetic participation in another's experiences
suffered, undergone, or done as the substitute for another
vicarious punishment
delegated
vicarious authority
taking the place of another
Derived forms of vicarious
vicariously, adverb vicariousness, nounWord Origin for vicarious
C17: from Latin
vicārius substituted, from
vicis interchange; see
vice ³,
vicissitude
Medical definitions for vicarious
vicarious
[ vī-kâr′ē-əs, vĭ- ]
adj.
Felt or undergone as if one were taking part in the experience or feelings of another.
Occurring in or performed by a part of the body not normally associated with a certain function.