deputize, v.
(ˈdɛpjʊtaɪz)
[f. depute n. or deputy + -ize.]
1. trans. To appoint as a deputy. Chiefly U.S.
| 1730–6 Bailey (folio) Pref., Députize, to constitute or appoint one a Deputy. 1811 Port Folio Jan. (Bartlett), They seldom think it necessary to deputize more than one person to attend to their interests at the seat of government. 1828 Webster Deputize, to appoint a deputy; to empower to act for another, as a sheriff. 1877 Sparrow Serm. xix. 248 Those who were deputized..did their master's work faithfully. |
2. intr. To act as a deputy. colloq.
| 1869 Athenæum 27 Mar. 445/3 Mr. Perren deputized creditably for Mr. Sims Reeves. 1884 Musical Times 1 May 297/1 A London organist, who has relinquished regular work, will deputise upon nominal terms. 1900 Westm. Gaz. 27 Sept. 5/2 Sir Samuel Scott being absent in South Africa, has cabled the neighbouring Tory candidate, Mr. Boulnois, to deputise for him. 1904 Daily Chron. 15 Sept. 3/6 He was called upon at various times to deputise for other high officials. 1906 Sat. Rev. 30 June 807 With the exception of Mr. Stead and Mr. T. P. O'Connor, the representatives of the press were deputising in the absence of their chiefs. 1915 Observer 31 Jan. 9/6 Mrs. Levison..deputising for Lady Jellicoe, read to the company a letter. 1929 D. G. Mackail How Amusing 472 The parlour⁓maid was deputizing for the housemaid. 1955 Times 5 Aug. 4/1 Evans, the Kent wicketkeeper for whom McIntyre deputized in the Leeds Test, will not play again this season. |