Deputiser

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. An individual appointed to act on behalf of another or a group, especially in managerial or leadership capacities
2. a person entrusted with specific responsibilities or authority to represent someone in their absence
3. an official or representative designated to perform certain duties typically associated with another's position

Etymology: The verb is built on "deputy," which came into Middle English from Anglo-French "depute," from Medieval Latin "deputatus," meaning "assigned." That Latin term grew from "deputare," which joined "de-" with "putare," a verb that originally meant "to prune" or "to cut back." Its sense shifted to "to reckon" or "to count," and from there to "to allot," the idea of counting out a share of something to someone. A deputy is, in effect, someone who has been allotted a portion of another person's authority. The verb itself adds the suffix "-ise," which comes from Greek "-izein" by way of Late Latin "-izare," and turns the noun into an action: to appoint someone as a deputy. The British spelling "deputise" is shown here, while American English writes "deputize."

Synonyms: deputize, appoint, authorize, delegate, commission

Antonyms: revoke, dismiss, remove, disempower, recall