surrogate

Definitions

sur- here is sub- (in place of) + rog (propose) + -ate = 'one proposed in place of another.' Latin surrogare meant naming a substitute official; that 'stand-in' idea now covers surrogate mothers, decision-makers, and any proxy.

Why It Means This

Note the spelling: the prefix is sub- (in place of), assimilated to sur- before r — it is NOT the sur- meaning 'over/above' as in surplus. So a surrogate is literally 'one proposed under/in place of another.' The Roman legal sense of naming a replacement official broadened into today's surrogate mother (bearing a child for someone) and surrogate markers in science (a stand-in measurement for something hard to measure directly).

Common Collocations

• 1.surrogate mother代孕母亲
• 2.surrogate pregnancy代孕
• 3.act as a surrogate充当替代者
• 4.surrogate decision-maker代理决策人

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The deputy acted as a surrogate for the absent chairman.

• 2.

  They had a child through a surrogate mother.

• 3.

  For many fans, the team became a surrogate family.

Easily Confused

surrogate vs substitute vs proxy — substitute is the broadest everyday word (a substitute teacher). proxy is mainly about authority delegated to act or vote for you (vote by proxy). surrogate often carries a personal or biological standing-in (a surrogate mother, a surrogate father figure).