deputy

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word deputy. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word deputy, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say deputy in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word deputy you have here. The definition of the word deputy will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofdeputy, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From French député, from Late Latin deputatus (“appointed”).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈdɛpjəti/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈdɛpjəti/, /ˈdɛpəti/
  • Audio (US)(file)

Noun

deputy (plural deputies)

  1. One appointed as the substitute of others, and empowered to act for them, in their name or their behalf; a substitute in office.
    Synonyms: lieutenant, representative, delegate, vice, vicegerent
    the deputy of a prince
    The deputy sheriff was promoted after his senior retired.
    As the deputy store manager, he is able to fire staff.
  2. (mining, historical) A person employed to install and remove props, brattices, etc. and to clear gas, for the safety of the miners.
  3. (government) The name for a member of parliament in some countries.
    The State Duma comprises 450 deputies.
    1. A member of the French National Assembly.
    2. (historical) A member of the French Chamber of Deputies, formerly called Corps Législatif.
    3. (Ireland, often capitalized) A member of Dáil Éireann, or the title of a member of Dáil Éireann.
      Eamon Ryan is a deputy in the Dáil.
      At today's meeting, Deputy Ryan will speak on local issues.
  4. (US) a law enforcement officer who works for the county sheriff's office; a deputy sheriff or sheriff's deputy; the entry level rank in such an agency.
    The sheriff's deputies took the suspect into custody.
    Deputy Jones was promoted to corporal today.

Usage notes

Deputy is used in combination with the names of various executive officers, to denote an assistant empowered to act in their name; as, deputy collector, deputy marshal, deputy sheriff. In the British coal mining industry, the word referred to as a deputy overman, which was roughly akin to a foreman in other industries.

Synonyms

Hyponyms

Derived terms

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

See also

Verb

deputy (third-person singular simple present deputies, present participle deputying, simple past and past participle deputied)

  1. (informal, nonstandard) to deputise

Further reading

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia