Definition of Decanus

In ecclesiastical and old European law. An officer having supervision over ten; a dean. A term applied not only to ecclesiastical, but to civil and military, officers. Decanus monasticus; a monastic dean or dean of a monastery; an officer over ten monks. Decanus in majori ecclesiæ; dean of a cathedral church, presiding over ten prebendaries. Decanus episcopi; a bishop's or rural dcan. presiding over ten clerks or parishes. Decanus friborgi; dean of a friborg. An officer among the Saxons who presided over a friborg, tithing, decennary or association of ten inhabitants; otherwise called a "tithing man," or "bors-holder." Decanus militaris; a military officer, having command of ten soldiers. Spelman. In Roman law. An officer having the command of a company or "mess" of ten soldiers. Also an officer at Constantinople having charge of the burial of the dead.