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Where does the word "dean" come from? It comes from Late Latin decanus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "dean" come from? It comes from Late Latin decanus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Dean’s story begins in Late Latin: decanus meant “leader of ten.” From 'decem', ten: a leader of ten soldiers or monks. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as deien. Head of a cathedral chapter. It reached English by 1300s as dean. University deans date from the 1500s. Today, dean means a senior church or university official.
- Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient decanus "leader of ten", from 'decem', ten: a leader of ten soldiers or monks.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval deien "dean", head of a cathedral chapter.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s dean "church official", university deans date from the 1500s.