Dĕp'ŭ-ty, n.

(dĕp'yŭ-tē), n. [Fr. député, Pr. deputat, Sp. deputado, diputado, It. deputato, L. Lat. deputatus. See DEPUTE.] One appointed as the substitute of another, and empowered to act for him, in his name, or on his behalf; a lieutenant; a representative; a delegate; a vicar; as, the deputy of a prince, of a sheriff, of a township, &c.

Deputy is used in composition with the names of various executive officers, to denote an assistant empowered to act in their name; as, deputy-collector, deputy-marshal, deputy-sheriff.

Synonyms—Substitute; representative; legate; delegate; envoy; agent; factor.