Proxy, n.; pl. Proxies.
Etymology: [Contr. from procuracy. Cf. Proctor.]
1. The agency for another who acts through the agent; authority to act for another, esp. to vote in a legislative or corporate capacity. I have no man's proxy: I speak only for myself. Burke.
2. The person who is substituted or deputed to act or vote for another. Every peer . . . may make another lord of parliament his proxy, to vote for him in his absence. Blackstone.
3. A writing by which one person authorizes another to vote in his stead, as in a corporation meeting.
4. (Eng. Law)
3 more senses
The written appointment of a proctor in suits in the ecclesiastical courts. Burrill.
5. (Eccl.)
See Procuration. [Obs.]
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Proxy, v. i.
To act or vote by proxy; to do anything by the agency of another. [R.]
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for proxy; he lists it under delegate.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.