. (R. C. Ch.) The diplomatic agent of the pope highest in grade, superior to a nuncio. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ L. delegatus, p. p. of delegare to send, delegate; de- + legare to send with a commission, to depute. See Legate. ] 1. Any one sent and empowered to act for another; one deputed to represent; a chosen deputy; a representative; a commissioner; a vicar. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (a) One elected by the people of a territory to represent them in Congress, where he has the right of debating, but not of voting. (b) One sent by any constituency to act as its representative in a convention; as, a delegate to a convention for nominating officers, or for forming or altering a constitution. [ U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Court of delegates, formerly, the great court of appeal from the archbishops' courts and also from the court of admiralty. It is now abolished, and the privy council is the immediate court of appeal in such cases. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. delegatus, p. p. ] Sent to act for or represent another; deputed; as, a delegate judge. “Delegate power.” Strype. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Delegated p. pr. & vb. n. Delegating ] 1. To send as one's representative; to empower as an ambassador; to send with power to transact business; to commission; to depute; to authorize. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To intrust to the care or management of another; to transfer; to assign; to commit. [ 1913 Webster ]

The delegated administration of the law. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Delegated executive power. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

The power exercised by the legislature is the people's power, delegated by the people to the legislative. J. B. Finch. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. the act or process of authorizing subordinates to make certain decisions.
Syn. -- delegation, relegating, relegation, deputation. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ L. delegatio: cf. F. délégation. ] 1. The act of delegating, or investing with authority to act for another; the appointment of a delegate or delegates. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One or more persons appointed or chosen, and commissioned to represent others, as in a convention, in Congress, etc.; the collective body of delegates; as, the delegation from Massachusetts; a deputation. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Rom. Law) A kind of novation by which a debtor, to be liberated from his creditor, gives him a third person, who becomes obliged in his stead to the creditor, or to the person appointed by him. Pothier. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. delegatorius pert. to an assignment. ] Holding a delegated position. Nash. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A subordinate delegate, or one with inferior powers. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To appoint to act as subdelegate, or as a subordinate; to depete. [ 1913 Webster ]