— wardenship , n.
/wawr"dn/ , n.
1. a person charged with the care or custody of persons, animals, or things; keeper.
2. the chief administrative officer in charge of a prison.
3. any of various public officials charged with superintendence, as over a port or wildlife.
4. See air-raid warden .
5. See fire warden .
6. (in Connecticut) the chief executive officer of a borough.
7. (formerly) the principal official in a region, town, etc.
8. Brit.
a. ( cap. ) a traditional title of the president or governor of certain schools and colleges: Warden of Merton College.
b. a member of a livery company of the City of London.
9. Canadian. the head of certain county or local councils.
10. a member of the governing body of a guild.
11. a churchwarden.
12. a gatekeeper.
[ 1175-1225; ME wardein ward- (root of warder to guard; see WARD) + -ein, var. of -ien, -enc -ing -ING 3 ]
Syn. 1. warder, guardian, guard, custodian, caretaker, superintendent.