doyen

[ doi-en, doi-uh n; French dwa-yan ]

/ dɔɪˈɛn, ˈdɔɪ ən; French dwaˈyɛ̃ /

the senior member, as in age, rank, or experience, of a group, class, profession, etc.

Origin of doyen

1665–75; < French; Old French deien < Latin decānus dean¹

The details of this doyen club will be found in its proper place, p. 99 et seq.

Yachting Vol. 2 |Various.
The Emperor made a suitable reply in Chinese which was translated by the Doyen's interpreter.

Two Years in the Forbidden City |The Princess Der Ling
The doyen of the street is Mr. Henry R. Hill, whose two shops are at the extreme east end of the street.

The Book-Hunter in London |William Roberts
So much was made of it that our doyen, M. Got, came to beg me not to make such a scandal, as it reflected on the Comdie Franaise.

My Double Life |Sarah Bernhardt

It is therefore the doyen par excellence, and its rules and orders as carried out in its early days are original and entertaining.

Yachting Vol. 2 |Various.

doyen

/ (ˈdɔɪən, French dway) /

the senior member of a group, profession, or society

doyenne (dɔɪˈɛn, French dwajɛn), fem n

C17: from French, from Late Latin decānus leader of a group of ten; see dean