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(A title of) the head of any of various clerical or civil institutions; a presiding official, a provost.
Early 17th century; earliest use found in Matthew Wren (1585–1667), bishop of Ely. From classical Latin praepositus person placed in charge, prefect, president, head, chief, overseer, in post-classical Latin also head of a religious community, provost, reeve, use as noun of past participle of praepōnere.