Delegate, n.
Etymology: [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.
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.] 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.]
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Delegate, a.
Sent to act for a represent another; deputed; as, a delegate judge. "Delegate power." Strype.
Delegate, 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.
2. To intrust to the care or management of another; to transfer; to assign; to commit. The delegated administration of the law. Locke. Delegated executive power. Bancroft. The power exercised by the legislature is the people's power, delegated by the people to the legislative. J. B. Finch.
Shades of meaning
These words agree in designating one who acts in the place of some other or others. The legate is an ecclesiastical officer representing the Pope. In strict usage the deputy or delegate is more limited in functions and more closely bound by instructions than a representative. A single officer may have a deputy; many persons combine to choose a delegate or representative. In the United States informal assemblies send delegates to nominating conventions with no legislative authority; representatives are legally elected to Congress and the various legislatures, with lawmaking power.