n. (pl. -ies)
1. a person appointed or delegated to act for another or others (also attrib. : deputy manager).
2 Polit. a parliamentary representative in certain countries, e.g. France.
3 a coalmine official responsible for safety.
Phrases and idioms:
by deputy by proxy. Chamber of Deputies the lower legislative assembly in some parliaments. deputy lieutenant Brit. the deputy of the Lord Lieutenant of a county.
Derivatives:
deputyship n.
Etymology: ME var. of DEPUTE n.