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View synonyms for

vicarious

[vahy-kair-ee-uhs, vi-]

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.



vicarious

/ vɪˈkɛərɪəs, vaɪ- /

adjective

  1. obtained or undergone at second hand through sympathetic participation in another's experiences

  2. suffered, undergone, or done as the substitute for another

    vicarious punishment

  3. delegated

    vicarious authority

  4. taking the place of another

  5. pathol (of menstrual bleeding) occurring at an abnormal site See endometriosis

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • vicariously adverb
  • vicariousness noun
  • vicariism noun
  • nonvicarious adjective
  • nonvicariousness noun
  • unvicarious adjective
  • unvicariousness noun
  • ˈdzܲ adverb
  • ˈdzܲԱ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of vicarious1

First recorded in 1630–40; from Latin ܲ “substituting,” equivalent to vic(is) (genitive) “interchange, alternation” ( vice 3 ) + -ary; -ous
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Word History and Origins

Origin of vicarious1

C17: from Latin ܲ substituted, from vicis interchange; see vice ³, vicissitude
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

We get a vicarious thrill from watching the narcissist run roughshod over people's feelings or exploit others without shame.

From

Luckily, the internet is also glitching, causing a vicarious thrill when Marty quits trying to get service and throws away his phone.

From

Television is a vehicle built for vicarious experiences, a medium fueled by feeling and thus prone to engaging in manipulation.

From

Our vicarious shudders come only from the sound design, which gives a horrific squelch to the shock of a medieval mace slamming into Nathan’s back.

From

Harrods has accepted vicarious liability for some of the claims, a legal term meaning it accepts ultimate responsibility for Al Fayed's alleged actions.

From

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vicariate apostolicvicariously