Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Deputation
1.
The act of deputing, or of appointing or commissioning a deputy or representative; office of a deputy or delegate; vicegerency.
The authority of conscience stands founded upon its vicegerency and
deputation
under God. South.
2.
The person or persons deputed or commissioned by another person, party, or public body to act in his or its behalf; delegation;
as, the general sent a
. deputation
to the enemy to propose a truceBy deputation
, or In deputation
by delegated authority; as substitute; through the medium of a deputy.
[Obs.]
Say to great Cæsar this:
I kiss his conquering hand.
In deputation
I kiss his conquering hand.
Shakespeare
Webster 1828 Edition
Deputation
DEPUTATION
, n.1.
The act of appointing a substitute or representative to act for another; the act of appointing and sending a deputy or substitute to transact business for another, as his agent, either with a special commission and authority, or with general powers. This word may be used for the election of representatives to a legislature; but more generally it is employed to express the appointment of a special agent or commissioner, by an individual or public body, to transact a particular business.2.
A special commission or authority to act as the substitute of another; as, this man acts by deputation from the sheriff.3.
The person deputed; the person or persons authorized and sent to transact business for another; as, the General sent a deputation to the enemy to offer terms of peace.Definition 2024
deputation
deputation
See also: députation
English
Noun
deputation (plural deputations)
- The act of deputing, or of appointing or commissioning a deputy or representative; office of a deputy or delegate; vicegerency.
- South
- The authority of conscience stands founded upon its vicegerency and deputation under God.
- South
- The person or persons deputed or commissioned by another person, party, or public body to act in his or its behalf; a delegation.
- The general sent a deputation to the enemy to propose a truce.
- Among Christian missionaries, the process or period of time during which they raise support in preparation for going to their mission field.
Usage notes
The use of the word in the missionary sense has been common in churches and mission organizations for over a century, but has recently been giving way to the more "bureaucratic" term "home ministry assignment". As commonly used, a missionary does deputation or is on deputation. However, the missionary is not called a "deputy" nor is the person said to be a part of a "deputation". Deputation begins when the missionary is officially commissioned to be a missionary, and it ends when the person goes to the mission field.