deputy

noun, plural dep·u·ties.

1. a person appointed or authorized to act as a substitute for another or others.
2. deputy sheriff.
3. a person appointed or elected as assistant to a public official, serving as successor in the event of a vacancy.
4. a person representing a constituency in certain legislative bodies.

adjective

5. appointed, elected, or serving as an assistant or second-in-command.

noun plural -ties

1. 1. a person appointed to act on behalf of or represent another
   2. (as modifier)the deputy chairman
2. a member of the legislative assembly or of the lower chamber of the legislature in various countries, such as France
3. British mining another word for fireman (def. 4)

n.

c.1400, “one given the full power of an officer without holding the office,” from Anglo-French deputé, noun use of past participle of Middle French députer “appoint, assign” (14c.), from Late Latin deputare “to destine, allot,” in classical Latin “to esteem, consider, consider as,” literally “to cut off, prune,” from de- “away” (see de-) + putare “to think, count, consider,” literally “to cut, prune” (see pave).