- deputy
- c.1400, "one given the full power of an officer without holding the office," from Anglo-Fr. depute, noun use of pp. of M.Fr. deputer "appoint, assign," from L.L. deputare "to destine, allot," from L. deputare "consider as," from de- "away" + putare "to think, count, consider," lit. "to cut, prune" (see pave). Related: Deputize (1730s).