dep·u·ty /'de-pyə-tē/ n pl -ties [Middle French deputé person appointed to exercise authority, from past participle of deputer to appoint, depute]
1: a person appointed as a substitute with power to act
2: a second in command or assistant who usu. takes charge when his or her superior is absent; specif: deputy sheriff
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.