provost

plural provosts

1. One placed in charge: a head, a chief
   1. historicallifestyleA dean: the head of a cathedral chapter.

      Synonyms: dean

   2. lifestyleThe head of various other ecclesiastical bodies, even (rare, obsolete) muezzins.
   3. lifestyleThe minister of the chief Protestant church of a town or region in Germany, the Low Countries, and Scandinavia.
   4. UKeducationThe head of various colleges and universities.

      Synonyms: president, dean

   5. obsoleteA ruler.
   6. A mayor: the chief magistrate of a town, particularly (Scotland) the head of a burgh or (historical) the former chiefs of various towns in France, Flanders, or (by extension) other Continental European countries.

      1 more example

      The repairs were completed in the summer of last year, more than ten months after the line had been closed, and the branch was re-opened on June 29, when Mr. T. F. Cameron, Chief Regional Officer, Scottish Region, received Provost J. S. Collin, of Eyemouth, at the station. The 12.42. p.m. train to Burnmouth was signalled out of the station by the Provost, after he had been introduced to the crew.

      1950 January, “Re-Opening of the Eyemouth Branch”, in Railway Magazine, page 52

      Synonyms: mayor

2. A senior deputy, a superintendent
   1. historicallifestyleA prior: an abbot's second-in-command.
   2. USeducationA senior deputy administrator; a vice-president of academic affairs.

      The provost of the University of Massachusetts has reversed a decision by faculty personnel committees not to renew the contracts of two professors engaged in sex research.

      1982 August 21, Keith Beasley, “U/Mass Professors To Keep Positions Despite Controversy”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 6, page 3

      1 more example

      The princess, already a serious and diligent child, was given lessons on constitutional matters by Sir Henry Marten, the provost of Eton, and became aware even then that she should not show emotion and must maintain a certain reserve.

      2022 September 8, Stephen Bates, “Queen Elizabeth II obituary”, in The Guardian

   3. historicalA steward or seneschal: a medieval agent given management of a feudal estate or charged with collecting fees.
   4. obsoletesometimesA title of the archangel Michael.
   5. historicalAny manager or overseer in a medieval or early modern context.
   6. obsoleteA viceroy.
   7. obsoleteA governor.
   8. obsoleteA reeve.

      Synonyms: reeve

   9. obsoleteThe head of various Roman offices, such as prefect and praetor.

      Synonyms: prefect and praetor

   10. historicalA constable: a medieval or early modern official charged with arresting, holding, and punishing criminals.

       Here comes Signor Claudio, led by the provost to prison;

       c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], line 113

   11. governmentAn officer of the military police, particularly provost marshal or provost sergeant.
   12. historicalfencingAn assistant fencing master.
3. UKobsoleteslanggovernmentA provost cell: a military cell or prison.

present singular third person provosts · participle present provosting · participle past provosted · past provosted

1. UKobsoleteslangtransitivegovernmentTo be delivered to a provost marshal for punishment.

   Around the time of the Rebellions of 1837 and the First Anglo-Afghan War, British servicemen spoke of being provosted.

alternative Provis

1. A surname originating as an occupation for a provost.