Collins English-English Dictionary

dean [diːn]

1. 1. n the chief administrative official of a college or university faculty

2. 2. n (at Oxford and Cambridge universities) a college fellow with responsibility for undergraduate discipline

3. 3. n [chiefly Church of England] the head of a chapter of canons and administrator of a cathedral or collegiate church

4. 4. n [RC Church] the cardinal bishop senior by consecration and head of the college of cardinals - See also rural dean

5. 5. n [Etymology] C14: from Old French deien, from Late Latin decanus one set over ten persons, from Latin decem ten