vice-chairman
Meaning
an official who is next in rank to the chairman of a committee, meeting, or organization and who can act as the chairman when necessary.
Structure
Usage
she was elected vice-chairman of the committee last year.
in the chairman's absence, the vice-chairman will run the board meeting.
his responsibilities as vice-chairman include overseeing the subcommittees.
Etymology
The word 'vice-chairman' is a compound formed in English from the prefix 'vice-' and the noun 'chairman'. The prefix 'vice-' entered English via Old French from Latin vice, meaning "in place of" or "succession", which itself derives from the Proto-Indo-European root weik- meaning "to bend, wind". This root evolved through Latin to convey the concept of alternation or substitution. The term 'chairman' originates from the literal 'chair' (the seat of authority) and 'man' (the person occupying it). Thus, a 'vice-chairman' logically denotes a person who acts in place of or as a deputy to the presiding officer, embodying the concept of succession to the primary role.
Analysis
vice: from latin vice meaning "in place of, change, turn, succession". functions as a prefix denoting a deputy or substitute. chairman: from english chair (a seat of authority) + man (person). functions as a noun meaning the presiding officer of a meeting or organization.