Intendant
/ˌɪn.tənˈdænt/noun
An official, especially one who manages a public department, estate, or institution.
Did you know?Intendant comes from Latin *intendere*, originally meaning “to stretch toward” or “to direct,” the same ancient root behind *intend*, *tend*, and *tense*—so the word began as the language of focused force.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*tend-
“to stretch, spread, extend”
Latin
Latin
intendere
“to stretch out, direct one’s attention toward; aim”
Late Latin
Latin
intendens / intendantem
“one who directs or manages”
Old French
Old French
intendant
“a superintendent, manager, or administrator”
16th–17th Century
French
intendant
“a high-ranking administrative officer”
Modern English
English
intendant
“an official or administrator, especially in government or institutions”