decanus

commander of ten

1 / 1

A group of experienced sculptors gathers around its visibly oldest colleague as he makes a precise finishing adjustment to a clay bust.

noun

doyen

DOY-un/ˈdɔɪən/

A leading member of a group respected for long experience.

Etymology

doyenLatincommander of ten

A decanus originally commanded ten soldiers and also headed a group of ten monks. The title broadened from leadership of a group to seniority within it, giving doyen its sense of an established, respected member.

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Related word entries

doyen