rural dean

American  

noun

1. a cleric ranking just below an archdeacon, in charge of an archdeaconry.

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rural dean British  

noun

1. a clergyman having authority over a group of parishes

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Etymology

Origin of rural dean

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

They have church connections, and conversing with Miss Fogarty people are occasionally left with the impression that their father was a rural dean who suffered some misfortune: in fact he was a sexton.

From The New Yorker

A rural dean and rector has been suspended from his duties after he was arrested on suspicion of voyeurism.

From BBC

Dean Thrower, who is also rural dean of Hadleigh, was released on police bail until 10 October.

From BBC

Reverend Rose Hoskins, associate vicar in West Camel and rural Dean of the area, said the whole community was "absolutely devastated".

From BBC

I had to sleep in one of the rooms that might one day be a dining-room, and the next morning a rural dean arrived, which drove me away.”

From Project Gutenberg