proxy /'präk-sē/ n pl prox·ies [Middle English procucie, contraction of procuracie, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin procuratia, alteration of Latin procuratio appointment of another as one's agent]
1: the act or practice of a person serving as an authorized agent or substitute for another
— used esp. in the phrase by proxy
2 a: authority or power to act for another
b: a statement or document giving such authorization; specif: an oral consent or written document (as a power of attorney) given by a stockholder to a specified person or persons to vote corporate stock
3 a: a person authorized to act or make decisions for another
appointed a health-care proxy
b: something serving to replace or substitute for another thing
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.