I. -ēə̇t, -ēˌāt, usu -d.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: Medieval Latin vicariatus, from Late Latin vicarius vicar + Latin -atus -ate, noun suffix — more at vicar
1.
a. : the office, authority, or jurisdiction of a vicar : vicarship
b. : the period of a vicar's incumbency
2.
a. : a governmental or administrative office held by a deputy
b. : a district governed or administered by a deputy
3. : substitution
the vicariate seemingly exercised by the sharpened remaining senses of a blind man
II. adjective
Etymology: Latin vicari us + English -ate, adjective suffix
: having delegated power : vicarious