Delegates

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A group of individuals appointed to represent others in decision-making or deliberations; representatives chosen to act on behalf of others in negotiations or discussions; persons who are entrusted with the authority to act or make choices for a larger assembly or organization
2. Individuals designated to speak or act for a body, often in a formal setting; representatives tasked with conveying the interests and opinions of a specific group; people given the power to represent others in official capacities or meetings
3. Representatives selected to forward the views or needs of a collective; individuals assigned specific roles to advocate for or negotiate on behalf of a group; members chosen to participate in formal discussions as the voice of their constituents

Etymology: "Delegates" is the plural of "delegate," a noun for someone sent to act or speak on behalf of others. The root sits in Latin "dēlēgō," meaning "to send, assign, or entrust," built from "dē-" (away, down) and "lēgō" (to send on an errand, to appoint). The same Latin verb gave English the word "legate," an envoy sent by a pope or ancient Roman authority, so the two words are close relatives. The noun was formed from the perfect passive participle "dēlēgātus," meaning "sent off" or "assigned," which was turned into a noun meaning "one who has been sent." It passed through Old French "delegat" into Middle English, where it kept the sense of a person commissioned to represent others. Over time the word moved from a single envoy to the body of representatives gathered for a conference, convention, or assembly.

Synonyms: representatives, envoys, agents, commissions, delegations

Antonyms: supervisors, leaders, directors