proxy
/ˈprɒksi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈprɑːksi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpräk-sē/ (ame, mw)
proxy — noun
- proxysingular
- proxiesplural
1. the right to vote or make decisions for another person who is not able to be pre
the right to vote or make decisions for another person who is not able to be present
Bilal gave his brother the proxy to vote at the shareholders' meeting.
collocation: give (someone) the proxy
Board members can vote either in person or by proxy at the annual meeting.
phrase: by proxy
Lan appointed a colleague as her proxy for the committee election.
Under the company's rules, proxy can only be given to another team member.
Many retired shareholders vote by proxy because they travel frequently.
- authority
broader — can refer to any official power, not only delegated voting power
- mandate
stronger implication of a formal instruction from a group, often political
- power of attorney
a specific legal document granting broad authority; more formal than a proxy
常見錯誤
2. a vote that is cast for someone who cannot attend, or the official document that
a vote that is cast for someone who cannot attend, or the official document that records this vote
Tanvi submitted her proxy by email before the board meeting started.
collocation: submit a proxy
Each proxy must be signed by the shareholder and witnessed by a notary.
The chairperson read the proxies aloud before counting the votes.
Iris collected proxies from three absent members before the final vote.
The company received over two hundred proxies before the deadline.
- proxy vote
fully explicit but often redundant since 'proxy' alone carries the same meaning
- proxy form
specifically the physical or digital form used to submit a proxy
- ballot
a generic voting paper; does not imply delegation to another person
用法筆記
Often used in the plural (proxies) when referring to multiple votes or documents collected from different people.
常見錯誤
3. someone officially chosen to carry out tasks — such as voting or signing papers
someone officially chosen to carry out tasks — such as voting or signing papers — for another person who cannot do them
Kwame acted as his uncle's proxy and signed the property documents.
collocation: act as (someone's) proxy
The elderly woman chose her daughter to be her proxy for medical decisions.
Christopher was appointed proxy for three colleagues at the union meeting.
Bao served as the proxy for the absent director during the vote.
A proxy must follow the instructions given by the person they represent.
- representative
broader term — a representative may have general authority; a proxy has specific, limited authority
- delegate
often implies being sent by a group or organisation rather than an individual
- deputy
suggests a standing role within an organisation rather than a one-time appointment
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 is the right/authority itself, whereas this sense is the person who holds that right. In legal contexts, a proxy (person) is often called a 'proxy holder' or 'proxy voter.'
常見錯誤
4. a person or thing used instead of the original, doing a comparable job or standi
a person or thing used instead of the original, doing a comparable job or standing in for it in a measurement
In her study, sleep quality was used as a proxy for overall health.
pattern: proxy for [abstract concept]
The researchers used GDP as a proxy for the country's living standard.
Élise saw the old photograph as a proxy for the childhood she never had.
When the real medicine was unavailable, doctors used a proxy treatment.
Oil prices are often considered a proxy for the state of the global economy.
- substitute
more general — can refer to any replacement, not necessarily an indirect measure
- surrogate
often implies a more direct one-to-one replacement in a specific role
- stand-in
informal; often used for people filling a temporary role
- original
the thing that the proxy stands in for
用法筆記
Common in academic and analytical writing. The thing being proxied for is typically an abstract concept that is difficult to measure directly, so researchers use a measurable proxy variable instead.
5. a computer system that acts as a middle point between a user's device and the in
a computer system that acts as a middle point between a user's device and the internet, often used to improve security, speed, or control access
The school's proxy server blocks access to social media sites during class.
collocation: proxy server
João configured the browser to connect through a proxy in Singapore.
Companies often use a proxy to monitor employees' internet usage.
Dewi set up a proxy on her laptop to access region-locked content.
The IT department asked everyone to check their proxy settings after the update.
- proxy server
the full technical term; 'proxy' is the common shortening
- gateway
a broader term for any system that connects two networks
- VPN
a different technology — a VPN encrypts all traffic, while a proxy typically works at the application level
用法筆記
In everyday speech, 'proxy' is often used as a shorthand for 'proxy server.' This sense is distinct because it refers to a machine or software, not a person or a right.