depute

[ duh-pyoot ]

verb (used with object)

, de·put·ed, de·put·ing.

1. to appoint as one's substitute, representative, or agent.
2. to assign (authority, a function, etc.) to a deputy.

depute

verb

1. to appoint as an agent, substitute, or representative
2. to assign or transfer (authority, duties, etc) to a deputy; delegate

noun

1. 1. a deputy
   2. ( as modifier; usually postpositive )

      sheriff depute

Other Words From

• dep·u·ta·ble [dep, -y, uh, -t, uh, -b, uh, l, d, uh, -, pyoo, -], adjective
• unde·puted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of depute¹

1350–1400; Middle English deputen < Anglo-French, Old French deputer to assign < Late Latin dēputāre to allot, Latin: to consider, equivalent to dē- de- + putāre to think

Word History and Origins

Origin of depute¹

C15: from Old French deputer, from Late Latin dēputāre to assign, allot, from Latin de- + putāre to think, consider

Example Sentences

I depute you to open this sealed document and read the contents to the company.

From Project Gutenberg

Gonzalo said that he would depute two friends, who would arrange with them the details for their meeting at Nieva in the morning.

From Project Gutenberg

How on earth could I depute such a responsibility to any one in the office.

From Project Gutenberg

The ignorant and uneducated man is quite too willing to depute to others the task of thinking for him and furnishing his opinions.

From Project Gutenberg

He was the son of one of the depute clerks to the Supreme Court, not an elevated position, though one of great respectability.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• allocate
• allot
• appoint
• appropriate
• assign
• authorize
• choose
• define
• describe
• earmark
• elect
• mark
• name
• nominate
• set aside
• stipulate