n.
Pronunciation: ' pr ō - ˌ v ō st, ' prä-v ə st, ' pr ō -v ə st, esp attrib ˌ pr ō -( ˌ )v ō
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English profost & Anglo-French provost, from Medieval Latin propositus, alteration of praepositus, from Latin, one in charge, director, from past participle of praeponere to place at the head ― more at PREPOSITION
Date: before 12th century
1 : the chief dignitary of a collegiate or cathedral chapter
2 : the chief magistrate of a Scottish burgh
3 : the keeper of a prison
4 : a high-ranking university administrative officer