sb. and a. [ad. late L. vicāriān-us, f. L. vicārius VICAR, or independently f. vicāri-us + -AN.]

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  A.  sb. † 1. A substitute or deputy holding some office. Obs.–1

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1598.  Marston, Sco. Villanie, I. iii. (1599), 183. Shall Balbus, the demure Athenian, Dreame of the death of next Vicarian? Cast his natiuitie?

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  2.  One who accepts the view of religious vicariousness.

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1851.  Ruskin, Sheepfolds, 37. Ecclesiastical tyranny has, for the most part, founded itself on the idea of Vicarianism, one of the most pestilent of the Romanist theories…. Of this I have a word or two to say to the modern ‘Vicarian.’

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  B.  adj. Of or pertaining to, governed by, a deputy ruler.

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1643.  Ussher, Disquis. Asia, 16. The greater part of the inland Lydia was brought under this Vicarian regiment.

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1654.  Vilvain, Theol. Treat., vi. 156. The Dragon … covertly erected a Vicarian Kingdom.

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  Hence Vicarianism (see A. 2 above).

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