[del.e.gate] n [ME delegat, fr. ML delegatus, fr. L, pp. of delegare to delegate, fr. de- + legare to send--more at legate] (15c): a person acting for another: as a: a representative to a convention or conference b: a representative of a U.S. territory in the House of Representatives c: a member of the lower house of the legislature of Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia
[2]del.e.gate vb -gat.ed ; -gat.ing vt (1530) 1: to entrust to another "~ authority"
2: to appoint as one's representative ~ vi: to assign responsibility or authority -- del.e.ga.tee n -- del.e.ga.tor n