Dean
A Dictionary of Law · Henry Campbell Black · 1891
A Dictionary of Law
In English ecclesiastical law. An ecclesiastical dignitary who presides over the chapter of a cathedral, and is next in rank to the bishop, So called from having been originally appointed to superintend ten canons or prebendaries.
1 Bl. Comm, 382; Co. Litt. 95; Spelman.
There are several kinds of deans, namely: Deans of chapters; deans of pecullars; rurai deans; deans in the colleges; honorary deans; deans of proyinces,