noun
power of attorney; proxy; authorization
A formal document granting someone authority to act on another's behalf, especially in legal or business matters.
委任状があれば、代理人が契約を結べます。
With a power of attorney, a proxy can sign the contract.
株主総会に出席するために委任状
I submitted a proxy form to attend the shareholders' meeting.
代理 refers to the proxy or representative themselves, while 委任状 is the document granting proxy authority.
Compound of 委任 (delegation) + 状 (document). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with legal delegation documents.