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relegate

 - 3 dictionary results

rel⋅e⋅gate

[rel-i-geyt]
–verb (used with object), -gat⋅ed, -gat⋅ing.
1. to send or consign to an inferior position, place, or condition: He has been relegated to a post at the fringes of the diplomatic service.
2. to consign or commit (a matter, task, etc.), as to a person: He relegates the less pleasant tasks to his assistant.
3. to assign or refer (something) to a particular class or kind.
4. to send into exile; banish.

Origin:
1375–1425; late ME < L relēgātus, ptp. of relēgāre to send away, dispatch. See re-, legate


rel⋅e⋅ga⋅ble [rel-i-guh-buhl] , adjective
rel⋅e⋅ga⋅tion, noun


2. delegate, entrust.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To relegate
rel·e·gate   (rěl'ĭ-gāt')   
tr.v.   rel·e·gat·ed, rel·e·gat·ing, rel·e·gates
  1. To assign to an obscure place, position, or condition.

  2. To assign to a particular class or category; classify. See Synonyms at commit.

  3. To refer or assign (a matter or task, for example) for decision or action.

  4. To send to a place of exile; banish.


[Middle English relegaten, to banish, from Latin relēgāre, relēgāt- : re-, re- + lēgāre, to send, depute; see leg- in Indo-European roots.]
rel'e·ga'tion n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

relegate 
1586 "to banish, send into exile" (implied in relegation), from L. relegatus, pp. of relegare "remove, dismiss, banish," from re- "back" + legare "send with a commission" (see legate). Meaning "place in a position of inferiority" is recorded from 1790.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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