Depute, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deputed; p. pr. & vb. n. Deputing.]
Etymology: [F. députer, fr. L. deputare to esteem, consider, in LL., to destine, allot; de- + putare to clean, prune, clear up, set in order, reckon, think. See Pure.]
1. To appoint as deputy or agent; to commission to act in one's place; to delegate. There is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 2. Sam. xv. 3. Some persons, deputed by a meeting. Macaulay.
2. To appoint; to assign; to choose. [R.] The most conspicuous places in cities are usually deputed for the erection of statues. Barrow.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Depute, n.
A person deputed; a deputy. [Scot.]
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for depute; he lists it under send.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.