delegate
UK[ˈdelɪɡət]US[ˈdelɪɡət]
n
a person chosen or elected to vote or act for others
v
to give part of your work, power, or authority to someone in a lower position than you
Morpheme Breakdown
de
leg
ate
de
away
leg
choose, send
ate
verb/noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'delegate' originates from the Latin verb 'delegare', meaning 'to send away, assign, entrust'. This verb is composed of 'de-' (away) and 'legare' (to send as a deputy, appoint). The core concept is of sending someone away with a specific commission or authority. In ancient Roman contexts, this related to appointing a representative. Over time, the meaning evolved through Medieval Latin and into English, retaining the dual sense of the person who is sent (the noun) and the act of sending or entrusting authority (the verb). The semantic thread consistently links the idea of being chosen or sent away to act on another's behalf.
Analysis
Structure: de (away) + leg (choose, send) + ate (verb/noun suffix)
de- (Latin prefix meaning 'away, from, off'); -leg- (from Latin root 'legare' meaning 'to choose, appoint, send as a deputy'); -ate (Latin suffix forming verbs and nouns denoting an agent or function).
Examples
each union elects several delegates to the annual conference.
a good manager knows how to delegate tasks effectively.
she was delegated to represent the company at the international forum.