Definition of: delegate

(del′ə·gāt, ·git) noun
1. A person appointed and sent by another, with power to transact business as his representative; deputy; representative, commissioner.
2. U.S. A person elected or appointed to represent a Territory in the House of Representatives where he has the right to participate in debates, but not to vote.
3. A member of the House of Delegates. Compare BURGESS.
4. A person sent as a representative to a convention of any kind, take part in the transaction of business.
—walking delegate A member of a trade union, commissioned to visit other labor organizations and to secure the united action of employees in the advancement of common interests.
—v.t. (-gāt) ·gat·ed, ·gat·ing
1. To send as a representative, with authority to act; depute.
2. To commit or entrust (powers, authority, etc.) to another as an agent or representative.
3. To assign (a debtor) to one's creditor to satisfy a claim.
—adjective (-gāt, -git) Sent as a deputy. [<L delegatus, pp. of delegare <de- down + legare send] Synonyms (noun): deputy, legate, proxy, representative, substitute. These words agree in designating one who acts in the place of some other or others. The legate is an ecclesiastical officer representing the pope. In strict usage the deputy or delegate is more limited in functions and more closely bound by instructions than a representative. A single officer may have a deputy: many persons combine to choose a delegate or representative. In the United States informal assemblies send delegates to nominating conventions with no legislative authority; representatives are legally elected to Congress and the various lawmaking assemblies.