a dignitary or presiding officer in certain ecclesiastical and lay bodies; esp., an ecclesiastical dignitary, subordinate to a bishop.-the collegiate officer in the universities of oxford and cambridge, england, who, besides other duties, has regard to the moral condition of the college.-the head or presiding officer in the faculty of some colleges or universities.-a registrar or secretary of the faculty in a department of a college, as in a medical, or theological, or scientific department.-the chief or senior of a company on occasion of ceremony; as, the dean of the diplomatic corps; -- so called by courtesy.