| Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993. |
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| dean, doyen, doyenne (nn.) |
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| In addition to its specific ecclesiastical and educational senses, dean also means “the senior and most eminent member of the group,” as in He is the dean of American political columnists. Doyen and doyenne are exact synonyms of that meaning of dean, except that doyen is masculine, doyenne feminine; all three words derive from the Latin decanus. Doyen(ne) may stress age and seniority as reasons for eminence, but doyenne seems to be fading out because it is exclusive language, and doyen too is fading in its “senior and eminent” sense: dean seems to be replacing both, although it is too early to say that doyen will not become inclusive in English. It is, however, a very old-fashioned-sounding word. All three words are Standard, although all are now clichés in some contexts, as on some sports pages. Stress doyen on either syllable, doyenne on the second syllable. | 1 |
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| | | The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. Copyright © 1993 Columbia University Press. |
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