Provost

prov′ost, n. the dignitary set over a cathedral or collegiate church: the head of a college: ( Scotland ) the chief magistrate of certain cla es of burghs, answering to mayor in England: ( Shak. ) the keeper of a prison.— ns. Prov′ost-mar′shal ( army ), an officer with special powers for enforcing discipline and securing prisoners till brought to trial: ( navy ) an officer having charge of prisoners; Prov′ostry , a district under a provost; Prov′ostship , the office of a provost.— Lord Provost , the style of the chief magistrates of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Aberdeen, and Dundee. [O. Fr. provost (Fr. prévôt ), L. præposit us , pa.p. of præponĕre — præ , over, ponĕre , to place.]