n. (pl. -ies) 1 a person appointed or delegated to act for another or others (also attrib. : deputy manager). 2 Polit. a parliamentary representative in certain countries, e.g. France. 3 a coalmine official responsible for safety. by deputy by proxy. Chamber of Deputies the lower legislative assembly in some parliaments. deputy lieutenant Brit. the deputy of the Lord Lieutenant of a county. deputyship n.
[ ME var. of DEPUTE n. ]