Vi*ca"ri*ous (?), a. [L. vicarius, from vicis change, alternation, turn, the position, place, or office of one person as assumed by another; akin to Gr. to yield, give way, G. wechsel a change, and probably also to E. weak. See Weak, and cf. Vice, prep.]
1.
Of or pertaining to a vicar, substitute, or deputy; deputed; delegated; as, vicarious power or authority.
2.
Acting of suffering for another; as, a vicarious agent or officer.
The soul in the body is but a subordinate efficient, and vicarious . . . in the hands of the Almighty.
Sir M. Hale.
3.
Performed or suffered in the place of another; substituted; as, a vicarious sacrifice; vicarious punishment.
The vicarious work of the Great Deliverer.
I. Taylor.
4. Med.
Acting as a substitute; -- said of abnormal action which replaces a suppressed normal function; as, vicarious hemorrhage replacing menstruation.
© Webster 1913.