The term derives from the Latin prefix vice-, meaning "in the place of" and the Anglo-Norman roy (Old French roi), meaning "king". This denotes the position ...
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as one who acts on behalf of a king or monarch. A viceroy´s territory may be called a viceroyalty, though this term is not always applied. The adjective form is viceregal, less often viceroyal. The term vicereine is sometimes used to indicate a female viceroy suo jure, although viceroy can serve as a gender-neutral term. Vicereine is more commonly used to indicate a viceroy´s wife.