Provost Meaning
/ˈpɹɒvəst/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounOne placed in charge: a head, a chief
nounOne placed in charge: a head, a chief, A dean: the head of a cathedral chapter.
Sentence Examples
Tom is the provost of Harvard University.
Is a provost like a mayor?
CEFR Practice Quiz
The university's ____ reviewed the new curriculum and approved the changes for next semester.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The university ____ welcomed the new intake of students at the opening ceremony of the academic year.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English, from late Old English prōfost, prāfost, from Late Latin prōpositus, variant of Latin praepositus (“[one] placed in command”). In some senses, via Anglo-Norman provolt; via Anglo-Norman and Old French provost (modern French prévôt). As a Central European ecclesiastical office, via German Propst, Danish provst, etc.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The repairs were completed in the summer of last year, more than ten months after the line had been closed, and the branch was re-opened on June 29, when Mr. T. F. Cameron, Chief Regional Officer, Scottish Region, received Provost J. S. Collin, of Eyemouth, at the station. The 12.42. p.m. train to Burnmouth was signalled out of the station by the Provost, after he had been introduced to the crew."
— 1950 January, “Re-Opening of the Eyemouth Branch”, in Railway Magazine, page 52:
"The provost of the University of Massachusetts has reversed a decision by faculty personnel committees not to renew the contracts of two professors engaged in sex research."
— 1982 August 21, Keith Beasley, “U/Mass Professors To Keep Positions Despite Controversy”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 6, page 3:
"The princess, already a serious and diligent child, was given lessons on constitutional matters by Sir Henry Marten, the provost of Eton, and became aware even then that she should not show emotion and must maintain a certain reserve."
— 2022 September 8, Stephen Bates, “Queen Elizabeth II obituary”, in The Guardian:
"Here comes Signor Claudio, led by the provost
to prison;"
— c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], line 113:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The university's ____ reviewed the new curriculum and approved the changes for next semester.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The university ____ welcomed the new intake of students at the opening ceremony of the academic year.