I. ˈde-li-gət, -ˌgāt noun
Etymology: Middle English delegat, from Medieval Latin delegatus, from Latin, past participle of delegare to delegate, from de- + legare to send — more at legate
Date: 15th century
: a person acting for another: as
a. : a representative to a convention or conference
b. : a representative of a United States territory in the House of Representatives
c. : a member of the lower house of the legislature of Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia
II. -ˌgāt verb
( -gat·ed ; -gat·ing )
Date: 1530
transitive verb
1. : to entrust to another
delegate authority
2. : to appoint as one's representative
intransitive verb
: to assign responsibility or authority
a good manager knows how to delegate
• del·e·ga·tee ˌde-li-gə-ˈtē noun
• del·e·ga·tor ˈde-li-ˌgā-tər noun