A
vicar (;
Latin:
vicarius) is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or for a superior (compare "vicarious" in the sense of "at second hand"). Linguistically,
vicar is cognate with the English prefix "vice," similarly meaning "deputy." The title appears in a number of
Christian ecclesiastical contexts, but also as an administrative title, or title modifier, in the
Roman Empire. In addition, in the
Holy Roman Empire a local representative of the
emperor, perhaps an
archduke, might be styled "vicar."
