DEAN

In English ecclesiastical law. An ecclesiastical dignitary who presides over the chapter of a cathedral, and is next in raiik to the bishop. So called from having been originally appointed to superintend ten canons or prebendaries; 1 Bl. Comm. 382; Co. Litt. 95; Spelman. · There are several kinds of deans, namely: Deans of chapters; dee,ns of peculiars; rural deans; deans in the colleges; honorary deans; deans of provinces. ' -Dean and cha,11ter. In ecclesiastical· law. The council of a bishop, to a ist him with their advice in the religious and also in the temporal affairs of the see. 3 Coke, 75; 1 BI. Comm. '382; Co. Litt. 100 800.-Dean of the arc he■• The presiding judge of the Court of Arches. He is also an a istant judge in the court of admiralty. 1 Kent, Comm. 371; S,Steph. Comm. 7Zl, [s. 338]