dean

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).

• Lucretius versus the Lake Poets ' Nature I loved ; and next to Nature , Art . ' Dean , adult education may seem silly . What of it though ? I got some willy - nilly The other evening at your college deanery . And grateful for it ( Let's not

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.

• dean of the diplomatic corps - a country's most senior ambassador
• dean of the House - the longest-serving member of a legislature

To serve as a dean.intransitiverare

To send (a student) to see the dean of a college or university.informaltransitive

A hill.

Alternative form of dene.Northumbriaalt-ofalternative