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Proxy Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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proxy

[ˈprɒksi ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

internet

A proxy is a server that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers. Proxies can provide anonymity, security, and performance benefits.

Synonyms

go-between, intermediary, middleman.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
proxy

Used when someone is authorized to act on behalf of another person, often in legal, financial, or technical contexts.

  • She gave her brother a proxy to vote on her behalf.
  • The proxy server helps to improve internet security.
intermediary

Used when referring to someone who helps to facilitate an agreement or understanding between parties, often in formal or diplomatic contexts.

  • The diplomat acted as an intermediary to ease tensions between the countries.
  • They hired an intermediary to mediate the contract negotiations.
middleman

Used when referring to a person or business that buys goods from producers and sells them to consumers, often with a negative connotation implying added cost or inefficiency.

  • The middleman takes a large cut from the sale of the products.
  • By cutting out the middleman, we can reduce our expenses.
go-between

Used when someone acts as a messenger or mediator in dealings between two parties, often in informal or personal situations.

  • He acted as a go-between to help them resolve their disagreements.
  • Jenny served as a go-between during their negotiations.

Examples of usage

  • I use a proxy to access geo-restricted content online.
  • The company's network traffic goes through a proxy server for security reasons.
Context #2 | Noun

politics

A proxy is a person authorized to act on behalf of another, especially in voting. This can be used in shareholder meetings or other decision-making processes.

Synonyms

delegate, representative, substitute.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
proxy

Used when someone is given authority to act on behalf of another, especially in formal or official matters.

  • I will vote by proxy at the meeting because I can't attend in person.
  • He served as a proxy for his boss during the negotiations.
representative

Used to describe someone who speaks or acts on behalf of a group, company, or organization, often in a more general or everyday context.

  • The sales representative will visit our office tomorrow.
  • He is the official representative of the employees.
delegate

Commonly used in formal contexts or organizations, where someone is designated to represent a group or individual in meetings, conferences, or events.

  • Each country sent a delegate to the international summit.
  • She was chosen as a delegate to represent the student body.
substitute

Used when someone takes the place of another temporarily, often in situations like schools, sports, or temporary job replacements.

  • The teacher was sick, so a substitute took her class today.
  • We need a substitute player for the football match tomorrow.

Examples of usage

  • I gave my friend my voting proxy for the upcoming elections.
  • The board members hold proxies for absentee shareholders.
Context #3 | Verb

internet

To proxy means to act as an intermediary or substitute for someone or something else. In computing, it refers to forwarding requests to another server.

Synonyms

intermediate, represent, substitute.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
proxy

Used when someone is authorized to act on behalf of another person or entity, often in legal or business contexts.

  • I need to assign a proxy to vote for me at the shareholders' meeting.
  • She serves as his proxy, signing documents and making decisions in his absence.
intermediate

Describes something situated between two points in terms of time, space, or degree, or someone acting as a mediator.

  • The course is designed for intermediate students who have basic knowledge but are not yet advanced.
  • The negotiations required an intermediate to resolve the differences between the parties.
substitute

Describes someone or something that takes the place of another, typically temporarily. It can have a slightly informal or negative connotation.

  • If the teacher is sick, a substitute will take her classes.
  • He couldn't make it to the meeting, so I had to find a substitute speaker.
represent

Used when someone is acting on behalf of another person, group, or organization, often in legal, political, or official contexts.

  • She was chosen to represent the company at the international conference.
  • In court, an attorney will represent you and defend your rights.

Examples of usage

  • The server proxies requests to a different location for load balancing.
  • The software can proxy the user's IP address for privacy reasons.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Technology

  • In computer networks, a 'proxy server' acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers.
  • Proxies can help enhance privacy online by hiding the user's IP address during internet browsing.
  • Some proxies are used to bypass geographical restrictions and access content that may not be available in certain regions, like streaming services.

Legal

  • In legal contexts, a proxy allows a person to authorize someone else to vote on their behalf at meetings, such as corporate shareholder meetings.
  • Proxy voting in politics allows voters to send representatives to participate in decision-making when they cannot be present.
  • Some organizations use proxies to ensure that decisions are made democratically, even in the absence of members.

Psychology

  • In social psychology, having a proxy can affect decision-making by shifting responsibility away from individuals, allowing them to avoid direct confrontation.
  • Proxies can also influence group dynamics, sometimes leading to more agreeable outcomes when someone represents a larger group’s interests.
  • The phenomenon of using proxies reflects the need for social support and delegation in both personal and professional settings.

Pop Culture

  • The use of proxies is often featured in spy and action films, where a character might send someone to do dangerous tasks on their behalf.
  • In video games, proxies are sometimes characters or avatars that players control to accomplish objectives, making gameplay more flexible.
  • Popular series and movies explore themes of representation and delegation through proxies in their plots, highlighting trust and betrayal.

Origin of 'proxy'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'proxy' comes from the Latin 'procuratio', which means 'to take care of'.
  • In the late Middle Ages, 'proxy' referred to someone acting on behalf of another in legal matters.
  • It was first used in English around the 15th century, primarily in relation to legal documents.

The word 'proxy' originated from the mid-15th century, from the Middle English word 'procuracie', meaning the agency of one who acts instead of another. It was derived from the Latin word 'procuratio', which means a management or administration. Over time, the term expanded to include the concept of acting on behalf of another in various contexts, such as politics, finance, and technology.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,245 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.