deputation

From Middle French députation, from Late Latin deputatio.

• IPA^(key): /ˌdɛpjuːˈteɪʃən/

  • Audio (Southern England):

    (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪʃən

deputation (countable and uncountable, plural deputations)

1. The act of deputing, or of appointing or commissioning a deputy or representative; office of a deputy or delegate; vicegerency.
   • 1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London:

     The authority of conscience stands founded upon its vicegerency and deputation under God.

2. The person or persons deputed or commissioned by another person, party, or public body to act in his or its behalf; a delegation.

   The general sent a deputation to the enemy to propose a truce.

   • 1850, George Long, France and Its Revolutions: A Pictorial History, 1789-1848, page 29:

     A deputation came to the Hotel de Ville from the district of the Mathurins, where the people had assembled, appointed a president and other officers, and begun to make a list of the citizens who were able to bear arms.

3. Among Christian missionaries, the process or period of time during which they raise support in preparation for going to their mission field.

The use of the word in the missionary sense has been common in churches and mission organizations for over a century, but has recently been giving way to the more "bureaucratic" term "home ministry assignment". As commonly used, a missionary does deputation or is on deputation. However, the missionary is not called a "deputy" nor is the person said to be a part of a "deputation". Deputation begins when the missionary is officially commissioned to be a missionary, and it ends when the person goes to the mission field.

• outpainted, painted out

deputation c (singular definite deputationen, plural indefinite deputationer)

1. This term needs a translation to English. Please help out and add a translation, then remove the text {{rfdef}}.

• “deputation” in Den Danske Ordbog