Deputy \Dep"u*ty\, n.; pl. Deputies. [F. d['e]put['e], fr. LL. deputatus. See Depute.]

1. One appointed as the substitute of another, and empowered to act for him, in his name or his behalf; a substitute in office; a lieutenant; a representative; a delegate; a vicegerent; as, the deputy of a prince, of a sheriff, of a township, etc.

There was then [in the days of Jehoshaphat] no king in Edom; a deputy was king. --1 Kings xxii. 47.

God's substitute, His deputy anointed in His sight. --Shak.

Note: 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.

2. A member of the Chamber of Deputies. [France]

Chamber of Deputies, one of the two branches of the French legislative assembly; -- formerly called Corps L['e]gislatif. Its members, called deputies, are elected by the people voting in districts.

Syn: Substitute; representative; legate; delegate; envoy; agent; factor.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)