vicar

noun

Etymology: From Middle English vicar, viker, vikyr, vicaire, vicare, a borrowing from Anglo-Norman vikare, vicare, vikaire, vikere and Old French vicaire (“deputy, second in command”), from Latin vicārius (“vicarious, substitute”). Doublet of vicarious.

1. In the Church of England, the priest of a parish, receiving a salary or stipend but not tithes.

   “Near-synonyms: priest, rector, curate”

   “Hester Earle and Violet Wayne were moving about the aisle with bundles of wheat-ears and streamers of ivy, for the harvest thanksgiving was shortly to be celebrated, while the vicar stood waiting for their directions on the chancel steps with a great handful of crimson gladioli.”

2. In the Roman Catholic and some other churches, a cleric acting as local representative of a higher ranking member of the clergy.
3. A person acting on behalf of, or representing, another person.

   “Near-synonyms: proxy, representative, agent”