Dep"u*ty (?), n.; pl. Deputies (#). [F. d'eput'e, fr. LL. deputatus. See Depute.] 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.
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]
Chamber of Deputies, one of the two branches of the French legilative assembly; -- formerly called Corps L'egislatif. Its members, called deputies, are elected by the people voting in districts.
Syn. -- Substitute; representative; legate; delegate; envoy; agent; factor.
© Webster 1913. | 
