RESPONDEAT SUPERIOR

respondeat superior [Law Latin “let the superior make answer”] (17c) Torts. The doctrine holding an employer or principal liable for the employee's or agent's wrongful acts committed within the scope of the employment or agency. — Also termed master–servant rule. See scope of employment. 

“Most courts have made little or no effort to explain the result, and have taken refuge in rather empty phrases, such as ‘he who does a thing through another does it himself,’ or the endlessly repeated formula of ‘respondeat superior,’ which in itself means nothing more than ‘look to the man higher up.’ ” W. Page Keeton et al., The Law of Torts § 69, at 500 (5th ed. 1984).

RESPONDEAT SUPERIOR, Black's Law Dictionary (9th ed. 2009)