noun

1. a person who acts in place of another; deputy
2. Anglican Ch. a parish priest who is not a rector and receives a stipend instead of the tithes
3. Episcopal Ch. a minister in charge of a chapel
4. R.C.Ch.
   1. a church officer acting as a deputy of a bishop
   2. the pope, regarded as earthly representative of Christ
      in full Vicar of (Jesus) Christ

Etymology: ME < OFr vicaire < L vicarius, orig., vicarious < *vix (gen. vicis), a change, alteration < IE *weik-, to bend, change: see weak