dean
dean Lexical Profile
dean Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A senior university or college official in charge of a specific faculty, school, or administrative area such as student affairs.
"The dean of the medical school announced a new scholarship program for incoming students."
The head of the chapter of canons or clergy in a cathedral or collegiate church.
"The cathedral dean led the evening service before a large congregation."
The most senior, respected, or longest-serving member of a particular group, profession, or diplomatic corps.
"After forty years at the newspaper, she was widely regarded as the dean of political journalists."
British A deep, narrow, wooded valley or vale, often with a stream running through the bottom, found especially in southern England and Scotland.
"A narrow footpath wound down through the shaded dean toward the brook."
• Rhymes for dean
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French 'deien', from Late Latin 'decanus' (chief of ten), derived from Latin 'decem' (ten). Originally referring to a minor Roman military officer or a monk overseeing ten novices, the title later evolved to denote a senior ecclesiastical or university official.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.