Definitions for: Vicarious


[adj] suffered or done by one person as a substitute for another; "vicarious atonement"
[adj] (medicine) occurring in an abnormal part of the body instead of the usual site involved in that function; "vicarious menstruation"
[adj] experienced at secondhand; "read about mountain climbing and felt vicarious excitement"



Webster (1913) Definition: Vi*ca"ri*ous, a. [L. vicarius, from vicis change,
alternation, turn, the position, place, or office of one
person as assumed by another; akin to Gr. ? to yield, give
way, G. wechsel a change, and probably also to E. weak. See
Weak, and cf. Vice, prep.]
1. Of or pertaining to a vicar, substitute, or deputy;
deputed; delegated; as, vicarious power or authority.

2. Acting of suffering for another; as, a vicarious agent or
officer.

The soul in the body is but a subordinate efficient,
and vicarious . . . in the hands of the Almighty.
--Sir M. Hale.

3. Performed of suffered in the place of another;
substituted; as, a vicarious sacrifice; vicarious
punishment.

The vicarious work of the Great Deliverer. --I.
Taylor.

4. (Med.) Acting as a substitute; -- said of abnormal action
which replaces a suppressed normal function; as, vicarious
hemorrhage replacing menstruation.

Synonyms: abnormal, exchangeable, secondary

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