adjective
vicarious
Done or endured in place of another person.
The agreement provided for vicarious performance by an appointed substitute.
Etymology
The Latin adjective describes a deputy or substitute. A vicarious action is performed or endured in someone else's place.
More examples
- The doctrine concerned vicarious suffering on behalf of others.
- He undertook the vicarious task in his absent colleague's place.
- Their discussion distinguished personal from vicarious fulfillment of the duty.
Forms
vicarious
Similar words
- substitute
- Substitute describes something acting in another's place; vicarious describes that representative relationship.
- delegated
- Delegated work is formally assigned; vicarious action emphasizes doing it on another's behalf.