deputy

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
deputy/ˈdepjuti/

▶noun (pl. deputies)

• 1 a person appointed to undertake the duties of a superior in the superior's absence.

• 2 a parliamentary representative in certain countries.

• 3 Brit. a coal mine official responsible for safety.

– phrases
by deputy historical by proxy.

– derivatives
deputyship noun.

– origin ME: from OFr. depute, from late L. deputatus, past part. of deputare (see depute).