Obs. exc. Hist. [f. ARCH- + DEAN.] The chief or superior of the deans. Used by Sc. writers for ARCHDEACON.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., VII. ix. 174. Ðe Archdene of Yhork … Wes þe toþir.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., II. 340. Ane vther archidene callit Deueintius.
1634–46. Row, Hist. Kirk (1842), 46. Certaine names, such as Archbishop, Bishop, Archdean, Dean … savouring of the Romish hierarchie.
