Vi‐ca″ri‐ous (–ŭs), a. [L. vicarius, from vicis change, alternation, turn, the position, place, or office of one person as assumed by another; akin to Gr. εἴκειν 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 or 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.