subdean
(ˌsʌbˈdiːn)
Forms: α. 4 soudene, 4–5 sodene, sud(d)ene, 6 sedeane. β. 5–7 subdeane, 6 -de(i)ne, 7 -dean.
[a. AF. *sodean, *sudene, *subdene = OF. sou(z)deien (mod. sousdoyen), soubdean, f. sou(s)-, sub- (see sub- 6) + deien dean1, after med.L. subdecānus. Cf. southdene s.v. south-2.]
An official immediately below a dean in rank, and acting as his deputy.
| α 1362 Langl. P. Pl. A. ii. 150 Alle Denes and Sodenes [v.rr. southdenis, sudenes; B. ii. 172 MS. C. subdeanes]. 1483 Cath. Angl. 371/1 A Svdene, Subdecanus. a 1529 Skelton P. Sparowe 552 But for the egle doth flye Hyest in the skye, He shall be the sedeane, The quere to demeane. |
| β14.. [see α quot. 1362]. 1506 Dunfermline Reg. (Bannatyne Club) 375 Subdene of our souerane lordis chapell. a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) I. 200 The archedeine..and subdeine..witht all kynd of wther offieceis pertaining to ane colledge. 1643 Prynne Rome's Master-Peece 29 Dr. Theodor Price, Subdean of Westminster. 1670 G. H. Hist. Cardinals i. iii. 75 The Deans, and Sub-Deans of the Popes Chapel. 1715 Hearne MS. Diaries LVIII. lf. 68 b, D{supr}. Terry, the Subdean of X{supt} Church. 1876 [see subchanter]. |
Hence
subˈdeanery, the office, position, or residence of a subdean.
| 1579 Reg. Privy Council Scot. Ser. i. III. 139 Maister Andrew Polwart..hes obtenit a presentatioun to himself of the said subdenerie. 1786 J. Bacon Liber Regis 1102 Sub⁓deanry [of York], founded anno 1229. 1813 Corresp. W. Fowler (1907) 257 She came to the Subdeanery to see me. 1824 G. Chalmers Caledonia III. 680 The subdeanry of Glasgow was taxed 26l. 13s. 4d. |