PROVOST (Lat. prapogitus, set over), in church law, the chief dignitary of a cathedral or collegiate church, from which use the title has also been transferred to the beads of other similar bodies, whether religious, literary, or administrative. Properly, however, the name is given to the highest dignitary in the metropolitan or diocesan chapter, and is often held conjointly with the archdeaconry. The provost is the next in dignity after the archbishop or bishop, a position which is also the right of the provost of a collegiate chapter. The name is also given to the superiors of certain religious houses of lesser rank, and the relation of which to the more important houses is analogous to that of the priory to the abbey. It was also given to certain lay officials, whose duties, in relation to the church and the maintenance of its material condition, were similar to those of the modern church-warden. In the Protestant church in Germany, the name provost is sometimes used as synonymous with that of dean or arch-priest; and occasionally, where several minor churches or chapels are attached to one chief church, the minister of the latter is called " provost." In England the heads of several colleges in the university of Oxford, and the head of King's college, Cambridge, are designed provost. The head of Eton college is also so called. The provost of the mint is a judge appointed to apprehend and prosecute false coiners.
In Scotland the chief municipal magistrate of a city or burgh is called provost, the term corresponding to the English word mayor. The provost presides in the civic courts
along with the bailies, who are his deputies. The chief magistrates of Edinburgh and Glasgow are styled lord provost, and the claims of the provosts of Aberdeen and Perth to the designation of lord, although at one time contested, are now held to be fully established. The right to this distinction does not seem to depend on anything peculiar in the nature of the constitution of these municipalities, but on its being expressly con ferred by the crown, or sanctioned by royal usage. The lord provost of Edinburgh is entitled to the prefix " right honorable," which may be attached not merely to the name of his office, but to his Christian name and surname, a usage which probably originated in the circumstance that the lord provost of Edinburgh was ex officio a member of the old Scots privy council. 'Within the city and liberties of Edinburgh, the lord provost takes precedence next after members of the royal family. The lord provost of Glasgow is generally styled the "honorable," a prefix, however, which belongs only to his office, and cannot be attached to his name.
In France, there were formerly various descriptions of inferior judges, known under the name of provost (previit). The grand provost of France had jurisdiction in the king's house and over its officers.