DEAN

(Lat. decanus.) An ecclesiastical dignitary in cathedral and collegiate churches, being the head of the chapter of canons or prebendaries, and forming together with them a council to advise the bishop in the affairs of the see. (.See Chapter.) hi England there are, properly speaking, three cla es of ecclesiastical presidencies to which the title dean belongs; deans rural, deans of cathedrals, and deans in peculiars. Rural doans were originally binef.ccd cleniymen appointed by the bishop to exercise a certain jurisdiction in districts of his diocese remote from his personal superintendence. They seem to have been equivalent in many respects to the cho rep is cop i of the early church, and many parts of their office are now dischargedbytlie archdeacons. By degrees this office fell into disuse; and though rural deans are still occasionally 318 [s. 332]