Etymology Map
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Dean

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means a senior church or university official

Where does the word "dean" come from? It comes from Late Latin decanus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
decanus
Late Latin · ancient
"leader of ten"
from 'decem', ten: a leader of ten soldiers or monks
2
Stage 2 of 3
deien
Old French · medieval
"dean"
head of a cathedral chapter
3
Stage 3 of 3
dean
English · 1300s
"church official"
university deans date from the 1500s
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Read the full story

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.