Word of the day: Depute

Depute

[də-PYOOT]

Part of speech: verb

Origin: Late Middle English, unknown

Appoint or instruct (someone) to perform a task for which one is responsible.

Delegate (authority or a task).

Examples of depute in a sentence

"The dean deputed the department head to finish the review process."

"He deputed the responsibility of answering his emails to his teaching assistant."

About Depute

This word developed in Middle English via influence from French and Latin. The original Latin word "deputare" ("consider to be; assign") came from the words "de" ("away") and "putare" ("consider").

Did you Know?

Depending on which usage of "depute" is in play, the word order is very particular. With usage synonymous with "delegate," it operates as a regular verb. When "depute" means "to appoint someone in a task," the verb must be followed with the object of the sentence and an infinitve of another verb. For example, "She deputed us to clean the kitchen."