deputy
UK: ˈdɛpjʊti | US: ˈdɛpjəti
n. a person appointed to act as a substitute for another, especially in a professional or official role
n. an assistant with the authority to act on behalf of a superior
n. (historical) a parliamentary representative in some countries
The word "deputy" originates from Old French deputé, derived from Latin deputare ("to allot, assign"). The Latin roots break down into de- (indicating "down" or "away") and putare ("to think, consider, reckon"). Over time, the term evolved to signify someone "assigned" or "appointed" to act on another's behalf, reflecting the notion of delegated authority. The suffix -y (from Old French -é) nominalizes the concept.
The manager appointed her deputy to handle the meeting in her absence.
The deputy mayor addressed the press about the new city policies.
He served as a deputy sheriff for over a decade before running for office.
The committee elected a deputy to represent their interests at the conference.
In her role as deputy editor, she oversees daily operations of the newspaper.