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doyen

dean

noun dwa-YAN Rare
People & Society Education

Origin: From Latin decanus (leader of ten).

Also means

senior member, eldest

Usage Note

Doyen is used in academic institutions for the head of a faculty or department (doyen de la faculté). More broadly, le doyen of any group is its most senior or oldest member. The feminine is doyenne. The phrase doyen d'âge refers to the oldest person in an assembly.

Examples

"Le doyen de la faculté a prononcé un discours."

Natural Translation

The dean of the faculty gave a speech.

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