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Webster 1913 Edition
Provost
Prov′ost
,Noun.
[OF.
provost
(L. prae
and pro
being confused), F. prevôt
, fr. L. praepositus
placed before, a chief, fr. praeponere
to place before: cf. AS. prāfost
, prōfast
. See Preposition
, and cf. Propound
.] 1.
A person who is appointed to superintend, or preside over, something; the chief magistrate in some cities and towns;
as, the
provost
of Edinburgh or of Glasgow, answering to the mayor of other cities; the provost
of a college, answering to president; the provost
or head of certain collegiate churches.2.
The keeper of a prison.
[Obs.]
Shak.
☞ In France, formerly, a provost was an inferior judge who had cognizance of civil causes. The grand provost of France, or of the household, had jurisdiction in the king’s house, and over its officers.
Provost marshal
(often pronounced [GREEK])
. (a)
(Mil.)
An officer appointed in every army, in the field, to secure the prisoners confined on charges of a general nature. He also performs such other duties pertaining to police and discipline as the regulations of the service or the commander's orders impose upon him.
(b)
(Nav.)
An officer who has charge of prisoners on trial by court-martial, serves notices to witnesses, etc.
Webster 1828 Edition
Provost
PRO'VOST
,Noun.
The grand provost of France, or of the household, had jurisdiction in the king's house and over its officer.
The provost marshal of an army, is an officer appointed to arrest and secure deserters and other criminals, to hinder the soldiers from pillaging, to indict offenders and see sentence passed on them and executed. He also regulates weights and measures. He has under him a lieutenant and a clerk, an executioner, &c.
The provost marshal in the navy, has charge of prisoner, &c.
The provost of the mint, is a particular judge appointed to apprehend and prosecute false coiners.
Provost of the king's stables, is an officer who attends at court and holds the king's stirrup when he mounts his horse.