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intendant

[in-ten-duh nt]
noun
  1. a person who has the direction or management of some public business, the affairs of an establishment, etc.; a superintendent.
  2. the title of various government officials, especially administrators serving under the French, Spanish, or Portuguese monarchies.
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Origin of intendant

1645–55; < French < Latin intendent- (stem of intendēns) present participle of intendere to stetch, make an effort (for), attend (to). See intend, -ant
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for intendant

Historical Examples

  • I stooped until my lips were on a level with my intendant's ear.

    Bardelys the Magnificent

    Rafael Sabatini

  • I believe that Rabouillet, his intendant, is in charge of Gavrillac.

    Scaramouche

    Rafael Sabatini

  • But he sent me his letter by the Intendant of his household, whom I knew.

    Tancred

    Benjamin Disraeli

  • Let me see the Intendant of this English youth, and hear more than I have yet learnt.

    Tancred

    Benjamin Disraeli

  • Monsieur has heard of the Intendant Bigot—is perhaps acquainted with him?

    Fort Amity

    Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch

British Dictionary definitions for intendant

intendant

noun
  1. history a provincial or colonial official of France, Spain, or Portugal
  2. a senior administrator in some countries, esp in Latin America
  3. a superintendent or manager
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for intendant

n.

"one who has charge of some business," 1650s, from French intendant (16c.), from Latin intendantem, present participle of intendere (see intend).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper