delegation
UK[ˌdɛlɪˈɡeɪʃən]US[ˌdɛlɪˈɡeɪʃən]
n
A group of people chosen to represent a larger organization or country, especially at a meeting or conference.
n
The act of giving a task, responsibility, or authority to someone else so they can act on your behalf.
Morpheme Breakdown
deleg
ation
deleg
send
ation
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'delegation' originates from the latin verb 'delegare', which is a compound of 'de-' (meaning 'away, off') and 'legare' (meaning 'to send, depute'). This literal sense of 'sending away' or 'dispatching' someone with a commission evolved into the concept of entrusting authority or tasks to a representative. The suffix '-ation' was added to form a noun describing the process or result of this action. Over time, the meaning broadened to encompass both the act of delegating authority and the group of people who are sent to represent others, a logical extension from the action to the agents performing it.
Analysis
Structure: deleg (send) + ation (noun suffix)
deleg (from latin 'delegare', meaning 'to send, assign, depute'), ation (a latin-derived noun-forming suffix indicating an action, process, or result).
Examples
a delegation of business leaders met with the prime minister to discuss trade policy.
effective delegation is a key skill for any successful manager.
the un delegation voted in favor of the new resolution.