Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DE-PUTE', v.t. [Fr. deputer; It. deputare; Port. deputar; Sp. diputar; L. deputo, but differently applied; de and puto. The primary sense of puto is to thrust, throw, send; but it has various applications. See Class Bd, No. 13, 19.]

To appoint as a substitute or agent to act for another; to appoint and send with a special commission or authority to transact business in another's name. The sherif deputes a man to serve a writ. There is no man deputed by the king to hear. – 2 Sam. xv. The bishop may depute a priest to administer the sacrament. – Ayliffe.