The oldest, most respected, or most experienced member of a group or profession; a senior figure.
From French 'doyen,' derived from Latin 'decanus' (a leader of ten), originally referring to a senior member in medieval church hierarchies.
The word 'doyen' comes from 'decan' (ten) because originally it referred to the leader of a group of ten monks—a title of respect that evolved into meaning any respected elder.
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