vicegerent

[ vahys-jeer-uhnt ]

noun

1. an officer appointed as deputy by and to a sovereign or supreme chief.
2. a deputy in general.

adjective

1. exercising delegated powers.
2. characterized by delegation of powers.

vicegerent

/ ˌvaɪsˈdʒɛrənt /

noun

1. a person appointed to exercise all or some of the authority of another, esp the administrative powers of a ruler; deputy
2. RC Church the Pope or any other representative of God or Christ on earth, such as a bishop

adjective

1. invested with or characterized by delegated authority

Derived Forms

• ˌviceˈgerency, noun
• ˌviceˈgeral, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vicegerent¹

1530–40; < New Latin vicegerent- (stem of vicegerēns managing instead of ), equivalent to Latin vice ( vice ³ ) + gerent- (stem of gerēns, present participle of gerere to carry on, conduct); -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of vicegerent¹

C16: from New Latin vicegerēns, from vice ³ + Latin gerere to manage

Example Sentences

He could depose prelates and excommunicate the greatest personages; he enjoyed enormous revenues; he was vicegerent of the Pope.

From Project Gutenberg

Parental authority should be regarded as vicegerent authority, set up by God and ruling in His stead.

From Project Gutenberg

Startling doctrine this to the slobbering vicegerent of God, conceding to the people acts to be revoked at his pleasure.

From Project Gutenberg

They have ceased to believe in God; but they still believe in His self-appointed vicegerent, the Kaiser.

From Project Gutenberg

In these wilds Aimery was his vicegerent and bore himself proudly as the proxy of such a monarch.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• pontiff