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.