Definition of "deputize"

deputize

/ˈdɛpjətaɪz/

verb
third-person singular simple present deputizes, present participle deputizing, simple past and past participle deputized
1. (transitive) To officially empower, authorize, pronounce, and establish (someone) to be a deputy.
2. (transitive) to officially empower and authorize (someone) to act as a substitute in one's role or office
3. (intransitive) To act as a substitute for a person in their role or office
  Quotations
  Gringoire, on the other hand, stuck with equal firmness to the fact that he was deputizing for a brother officer who was sick — so sick that he had mislaid his orders.
  1929, Ford Maddox Ford, No Enemy
  What he wanted was someone who could really deputize for him when he was away on business – clearly not the job for a secretary but, because of years of experience and a willingness to take responsibility, one that the previous holder of the post had taken on.
  2014, Tony Proctor, Creative Problem Solving for Managers
  It is commonly used in the theatre where an understudy essentially deputizes for an indisposed actor.
  2016, Ian Cunningham, The Handbook of Work Based Learning, page 111