vi·car·i·ous / vīˈkerēəs; vi-/ • adj. experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person: I could glean vicarious pleasure from the struggles of my imaginary film friends. ∎  acting or done for another: a vicarious atonement. ∎ Physiol. of or pertaining to the performance by one organ of the functions normally discharged by another.DERIVATIVES: vi·car·i·ous·ly adv.vi·car·i·ous·ness n.

vicarious (vik-air-iŭs) adj. describing an action or function performed by an organ not normally involved in the function. v. menstruation a rare disorder in which monthly bleeding occurs from places other than the vagina, such as the sweat glands, breasts, nose, or eyes.