Now rare. [Cf. next and -ENCE. So older F. vicegerence (mod.F. -gérance).] = next.
1527. Andrew, Brunswyke’s Distyll. Waters, P iij. Also yf oyle be made of the same floures it hathe the offyce of bawme and vycegerence of his vertues.
1660. Milton, Free Commw., Wks. 1851, V. 432. Christ … hath not left the least shadow of a command for any such Vicegerence from him in the State.
1679. C. Nesse, Antichrist, 38. His title … signifies substitution and vice-gerence.
1681. Flavel, Meth. Grace, xix. 336. In which words … the vice-gerence of his death is plainly expressed.
1814. Mrs. J. West, Alicia de Lacy, IV. 202. He could have endured the consciousness of … his rights invaded, from the hope that the vice-gerence of truth and retribution would return.
1835. Penny Cycl., III. 173 (Avignon), The Court of Vicegerence was for all cases in which the military and religious orders were concerned.
1902. R. Bagot, Donna Diana, xiv. 156. The Papal Court … is no freer from petty jealousies … than the Court of any ruler in no wise claiming Divine vicegerence.
