Middle English Dictionary Entry
subdēn n.
Entry Info
| Forms | subdēn n. Also subdeane. |
| Etymology | From dēn n.(2); also cp. OF soubedean (var. of sosdoiien) & cp. subdoienné (var. of sousdoyenné). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. souden n.
1.
Eccl. A church official ranking immediately below and acting as an assistant to a dean, a subdean [for 1st quot. cp. den n.(2) 1.(b), for 2nd quot. cp. 1.(a)].
Associated quotations
- a1450 PPl.A(1) (RwlPoet 137)2.137 : Subdenys [B vr. subdeanes; A(1) (Trin-C): Somenours shulde be sadelit..And alle þe denis & southdenis as destreris hem diȝte].
- 1790(1471-1472) Ordin.Househ.Edw.IV(2) (Topham)49 : Deane of Chapell, called the Kinges Chiefe Chaplaine..assignethe the sub-deane and the chaunters to guyde, kepe, and rule all the queere in stedfast service and honourable demeanyng.