/ ˈsʌrəgət; NAmE ˈsɜːr-/ adjective
( formal ) used to describe a person or thing that takes the place of, or is used instead of, sb/sth else :
She saw him as a sort of surrogate father.
► sur·ro·gate noun
••
WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent.: from Latin surrogatus , past participle of surrogare elect as a substitute, from super- over + rogare ask.