intendant

American  

[in-ten-duhnt] / ɪnˈtɛn dənt /

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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intendant British  

/ ɪnˈtɛndənt /

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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Etymology

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

Explanation

During the monarchies of France and Spain, intendants were appointed officials. Generally, intendants were responsible for carrying out the king or queen's orders throughout the country. Intendants were appointed to oversee the royal provinces, making sure that the king's commands were being followed. These civil servants were chosen from the nobility or upper-class, and intendants were abolished along with the monarchy itself after the French Revolution. The term is still used in several countries today; in Portugal, an intendant is a member of a police force, and in Argentina it's a city mayor, for example.

Example Sentences

The Intendant has fled," he said, "and people no longer trust the magistrates.

From The Red Cockade by Weyman, Stanley John

Our conference ended with the arrangement that I was to write him an official letter stating the case, which he was to forward to the Intendant of the province of Faucigny resident at Bonneville.

From The Glaciers of the Alps Being a narrative of excursions and ascents, etc. by Tyndall, John

Among other orders of Louis XIV. regarding Canada was a charge to discover the South Sea and Mississippi, and Jean Talon, Intendant of Canada, lost no chance of furthering this object.

From Explorers and Travellers by Greely, Adolphus W.

Joliet did not long remain in private adventure, for in 1669 Talon, then Intendant of Canada, sent him to discover and explore the copper-mines of Lake Superior, in which quest he failed.

From Explorers and Travellers by Greely, Adolphus W.

Then Governor Wilkinson took the floor and read, “An Address Presented to the Governor and Intendant of Louisiana.”

From Voices; Birth-Marks; The Man and the Elephant by Holt, Mathew Joseph