Vicegeral

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /vaɪsˈd͡ʒɪəɹəl/

Definitions

1. A representative or deputy exercising delegated authority on behalf of a superior, especially in administrative or ecclesiastical matters
2. A person appointed to act in place of a leader, typically holding a role of authority or governance in both political and religious contexts
3. An official who represents a higher authority and carries out various functions and responsibilities in its name, particularly in governmental or church affairs

Etymology: Latin "vice" meant "change" or "turn," and in the phrase "in vice" it meant "in place of." Joined with "gerens," the present participle of "gerere" ("to bear, carry on, manage"), it gave "vicegerens," one who carries on in another's place. English took this as "vicegerent," a deputy or lieutenant acting for a superior. The adjective adds the suffix "-al," so "vicegeral" describes something done or held by such a deputy, or a person acting with delegated authority. The same "vice" appears in viceroy, a ruler acting for a king, and in vicar, which comes from Latin "vicarius," a substitute, from the same root.

Synonyms: deputy, representative