English Explanatory Dictionary

doyen

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A commander in charge of ten men.
  2. The senior, or eldest male member of a group.
  3. A leading light, or exemplar of a particular practice or movement.

Pronunciation

/ˈdɔɪ.ən/ /dɔɪˈɛn/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-doyen.wav LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-doyen2.wav /dwɑˈjæ̃/

Word forms

doyen doyens

Etymology

Borrowed from French doyen, from Late Latin decānus, from Latin decem. Compare the doublet dean.

Related words

dean doyenne
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