n. 1 a substitute, esp. for a person in a specific role or office. 2 Brit. a deputy, esp. of a bishop in granting marriage licences. 3 US a judge in charge of probate, inheritance, and guardianship. surrogate mother 1 a person acting the role of mother. 2 a woman who bears a child on behalf of another woman, from her own egg fertilized by the other woman's partner. surrogacy n. surrogateship n.
[ L surrogatus past part. of surrogare elect as a substitute (as SUR-(1), rogare ask) ]