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Webster 1913 Edition

Vicarious

Vi-ca′ri-ous

(vī̍-kā′ĭ-ŭs)
,
Adj.
[L.
vicarius
, from
vicis
change, alternation, turn, the position, place, or office of one person as assumed by another; akin to Gr.
εἴκειν
to yield, give way, G.
wechsel
a change, and probably also to E.
weak
. See
Weak
, and cf.
Vice
,
p
rep.
]
1.
Of or pertaining to a vicar, substitute, or deputy; deputed; delegated;
as,
vicarious
power or authority
.
2.
Acting or 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.
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
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Vicarious

VICA'RIOUS

,
Adj.
[L. vicarius.]
1.
Deputed; delegated; as vicarious power or authority.
2.
Acting for another; filling the place of another; as a vicarious agent or officer.
3.
Substituted in the place of another; as a vicarious sacrifice. The doctrine of vicarious punishment has occasioned much controversy.

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