vicarious

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   suffered or done by one person as a substitute for another

   The children thanked their parents for their vicarious atonement.

2. 2
   adj

   occurring in an abnormal part of the body instead of the usual site involved in that function

   The patient had vicarious menstruation from their nose.

3. 3
   adj

   experienced at secondhand

   I read about mountain climbing and felt vicarious excitement.

4. 4
   adj

   Experienced or gained by taking in another person’s experience rather than through first-hand experience, such as through watching or reading.

   People experience vicarious pleasures through watching television.

Adapted borrowing of Latin vicārius (“vicarious, substituted”) + -ous, 17th century. Doublet of vicar.

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