| Vicarious | a. [ L. vicarius, from vicis change, alternation, turn, the position, place, or office of one person as assumed by another; akin to Gr. e'i`kein to yield, give way, G. wechsel a change, and probably also to E. weak. See Weak, and cf. Vice, prep. ] 1. Of or pertaining to a vicar, substitute, or deputy; deputed; delegated; as, vicarious power or authority. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Acting or suffering for another; as, a vicarious agent or officer. [ 1913 Webster ] The soul in the body is but a subordinate efficient, and vicarious . . . in the hands of the Almighty. Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Performed , experienced, or suffered in the place of another; substituted; as, a vicarious sacrifice; vicarious punishment; vicarious pleasure. [ 1913 Webster + PJC ] The vicarious work of the Great Deliverer. I. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. (Med.) Acting as a substitute; -- said of abnormal action which replaces a suppressed normal function; as, vicarious hemorrhage replacing menstruation. [ 1913 Webster ] |
