Definition of the word proxy

The word "proxy" originated in the 15th century from the Latin word "procurare," which means "to take care of" or "to manage in the place of another." Initially, a proxy referred to a representative who managed someone else's affairs, such as a lawyer or an agent. This sense of the word is still seen in phrases like "proxy wars" or "proxy marriage," where a third party acts on behalf of another. Over time, the term "proxy" evolved to describe a representative agent that acts on behalf of a user or principal in a specific context, such as a proxy vote or a proxy server. In computing, a proxy server acts as an intermediary between a client and the internet, filtering or redirecting requests. Today, the word "proxy" has a broader scope, encompassing various forms of representation, delegation, or substitution.