[ vʌɪs'dʒɪər(ə)nt , -'dʒɛ- ]
■ noun formal a person exercising delegated power on behalf of a sovereign or ruler.
↘a person regarded as an earthly representative of God, especially the Pope.
Derivatives
vicegerency noun ( plural vicegerencies ).
Origin
C16: from med. L. ~- '(person) holding office', from L. vic- 'office, place, turn' + gerere 'carry on, hold'.