First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
dean
noun \ˈdēn\
: a person who is in charge of one of the parts of a university (such as a college or school)
: a person whose job is to give advice to the students in a college or high school and to make sure that they obey the school's rules
: a person who has more experience in or knowledge about a particular profession, subject, etc., than anyone or almost anyone
Full Definition of DEAN
1
a : the head of the chapter of a collegiate or cathedral church b : a Roman Catholic priest who supervises one district of a diocese
2
a : the head of a division, faculty, college, or school of a university b : a college or secondary school administrator in charge of counseling and disciplining students
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Origin of DEAN
Middle English deen, from Anglo-French deen, deien, from Late Latin decanus chief of ten, from Greek dekanos, from deka ten — more at ten
Related to DEAN
- Synonyms
- doyen, elder, elder statesman, éminence grise, nestor, senior
Dean
biographical name \ˈdēn\
Definition of DEAN
Sir Patrick 1909–1994 British diplomat
DEAN Defined for Kids
dean
noun \ˈdēn\
Definition of DEAN for Kids
1
: a church official in charge of a cathedral
2
: the head of a section (as a college) of a university <the dean of the medical school>
3
: an official in charge of students or studies in a school or college <the dean of women>
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