As a noun, it means a person chosen to speak or act for a group. As a verb, it means to give part of your work or power to someone else so they can do it for you.
From Latin *delegare* meaning 'to send from, to assign', from *de-* ('from') and *legare* ('to send, appoint'). It originally described sending someone as a representative on a mission.
The spelling hides its history: 'legate' is an old word for an official messenger, and 'delegate' is literally someone 'sent from' the group. When you delegate tasks, you’re acting like a mini-government, appointing your own representatives.
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