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Glite Dictionary
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subagent

subagent

1 6.8
A person an agent hires to act for their client with limited power
  • noun
  • /ˈsʌbˌeɪdʒənt/
  • Formal
translation icon : subagente
  • The real estate broker explained how the subagent would assist in finding suitable properties for the buyers.
  • agents and subagents

Examples

  • Could Pashwah or her subagents be so sure a new download will pan out?

    Fiction book (2001)

  • I plan to start acting that way. I'd like to start by hearing you out about Pashwah and these subagents.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • There is no way I can go against the interests of any of my subagents.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • "I'll explain all offers from my subagents; you decide."

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Each subagent can, as needed, communicate with its principal over an encrypted channel.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • You're saying now that you cannot act other than for your subagents' individual interests.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Several thousand subagents are said to have been active in Galicia alone.

    Academic text (1993)

  • "You mentioned that you'd present subagents' offers to me."

    Fiction book (2001)

  • How can I be sure, for example, that one subagent hasn't incented you to withhold a competitor's better bid?

    Fiction book (2001)

  • The steamship lines had at their disposal a network of general agents and subagents on both sides of the Atlantic; the system developed in Scandinavia shortly after 1865.

    Academic text (1993)

Synonyms

special agent
vssubagent
  • US
37 3.5

A person allowed by law to do one specific task they are told to do

is appointed by an intermediary to assist the main person rather than act independently
proxy
vssubagent
19 5.8

A person who acts for someone else at meetings or votes

is appointed by an intermediary and holds narrower subordinate authority than a direct stand-in
subdelegate
vssubagent
  • Formal
8.4

A person chosen by a main representative to act for them

is appointed by an intermediary to assist the main person with restricted power
adjoint
vssubagent
9.5

A person who helps and acts for someone in charge

is appointed by an intermediary to help the main person with limited delegated power

How Authorized

principal
481 3.6
agent
  • Formal
∞ 2.8
deputy
658 3.4
subagent
  • Formal
1 6.8
assistant
833 1.0

Surface Forms

subagent singular
subagents plural

Morphology

subagent = agent (transparent) = sub + agent

The element 'sub-' (meaning secondary/under) combines directly with 'agent' to indicate a subordinate or secondary agent, a derivation obvious to learners.

Etymology

Subagent comes from sub- 'under' and agent 'a person who acts for someone else'. So a subagent is an 'under-agent' chosen by the main agent to act for the person or company they represent, usually with limited power.