deputize

• deputise (UK)

deputy +‎ -ize

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈdɛpjətaɪz/

• Audio (Southern England)

  (file)

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈdɛpjutaɪz/
• Hyphenation: de‧pu‧tize

deputize (third-person singular simple present deputizes, present participle deputizing, simple past and past participle deputized)

1. (transitive) To officially empower, authorize, pronounce, and establish (someone) to be a deputy.
2. (transitive) to officially empower and authorize (someone) to act as a substitute in one's role or office

   I deputize you to act for me while I'm away.

3. (intransitive) To act as a substitute for a person in their role or office
   • 1929, Ford Maddox Ford, No Enemy:

     Gringoire, on the other hand, stuck with equal firmness to the fact that he was deputizing for a brother officer who was sick — so sick that he had mislaid his orders.

   • 2014, Tony Proctor, Creative Problem Solving for Managers:

     What he wanted was someone who could really deputize for him when he was away on business – clearly not the job for a secretary but, because of years of experience and a willingness to take responsibility, one that the previous holder of the post had taken on.

   • 2016, Ian Cunningham, The Handbook of Work Based Learning, page 111:

     It is commonly used in the theatre where an understudy essentially deputizes for an indisposed actor.