Provost
the heads or principals of several colleges in the English Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; the principal of the University of Dublin. Also in England the chief dignity of a cathedral or collegiate church. In Scotch burghs, the chief magistrate, corresponding to the mayor in English boroughs. The provosts of Edinburgh and Glasgow are styled lord provosts, as the provost pr of Perth formerly was; the same title is popularly given to the provost of Aberdeen.