noun, verb — 6 senses
/diːn/ · [diːn]
Etymology From Middle English den, deen (“dean”), from Anglo-Norman deen and continental Old French deien (modern French doyen), from Latin decānus. Doublet of doyen.
A senior official in a college or university, who may be in charge of a division or faculty (for example, the dean of science) or have some other advisory or disciplinary function (for example, the dean of students).
A dignitary or presiding officer in certain church bodies, especially an ecclesiastical dignitary, subordinate to a bishop, in charge of a chapter of canons.
The senior member of some group of people.
Etymology From Middle English den, deen (“dean”), from Anglo-Norman deen and continental Old French deien (modern French doyen), from Latin decānus. Doublet of doyen.
Rare To serve as a dean.
Informal To send (a student) to see the dean of a college or university.
Etymology Related to den.
In place names A hill.
Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.