Deputy - Definition and Overview

A deputy can be:

• In politics, a member of many national legislatures, particularly those legislative bodies styled Chambers of Deputies. Related terms: Congressperson, Member of Parliament.

• In law enforcement, a slang term referring to a deputy sheriff, a county police rank in the United States. Example of usage in a song lyric: "I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy."

• In general, a subordinate acting in the place of his leader; a stand-in; a substitute; a proxy.