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vicariously

 - 6 dictionary results

vi⋅car⋅i⋅ous

  [vahy-kair-ee-uhs, vi-]
Use vicariously in a Sentence
–adjective
1. performed, exercised, received, or suffered in place of another: vicarious punishment.
2. taking the place of another person or thing; acting or serving as a substitute.
3. felt or enjoyed through imagined participation in the experience of others: a vicarious thrill.
4. Physiology. noting or pertaining to a situation in which one organ performs part of the functions normally performed by another.
Origin:
1630–40; < L vicārius substituting, equiv. to vic(is) (gen.) interchange, alternation (see vice 3 ), + -ārius -ary; see -ous

Related forms:
vi⋅car⋅i⋅ous⋅ly, adverb
vi⋅car⋅i⋅ous⋅ness, vi⋅car⋅i⋅ism, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To vicariously
vi·car·i·ous   (vī-kâr'ē-əs, -kār'-, vĭ-)   
adj.  

  1. Felt or undergone as if one were taking part in the experience or feelings of another: read about mountain climbing and experienced vicarious thrills.

  2. Endured or done by one person substituting for another: vicarious punishment.

    1. Acting or serving in place of someone or something else; substituted.

    2. Committed or entrusted to another, as powers or authority; delegated.

  4. Physiology Occurring in or performed by a part of the body not normally associated with a certain function.


[From Latin vicārius; see vicar.]
vi·car'i·ous·ly adv., vi·car'i·ous·ness 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

vicarious 
1637, from L. vicarius "substitute, deputy" (adj. and n.), from vicis "turn, change, exchange, substitution," from PIE base *weik-, *weig- "to bend, wind" (cf. Skt. visti "changing, changeable;" O.E. wician "to give way, yield," wice "wych elm;" O.N. vikja "to bend, turn;" Swed. viker "willow twig, wand;" Ger. wechsel "change").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: vi·car·i·ous
Pronunciation: vI-'kar-E-&s
Function: adjective
: imposed on one person in place of another —see also vicarious liability at LIABILITY 2b —vi·car·i·ous·ly adverb —vi·car·i·ous·ness noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: vi·car·i·ous
Pronunciation: vI-'ker-E-&s, v&-, -'kar-
Function: adjective
: occurring in an unexpected or abnormalpart of the body instead of the usual one vicarious menstruation>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

vicarious vi·car·i·ous (vī-kâr'ē-əs, -kār'-, vĭ-)
adj.

  1. Felt or undergone as if one were taking part in the experience or feelings of another.

  2. Occurring in or performed by a part of the body not normally associated with a certain function.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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