pre·pos·i·tus noun alsoprae·pos·i·tus\prēˈpäzəd.əs\ (pluralpreposi·tialsopraeposi·ti \-ˌtī\) Etymology: Medieval Latin, abbot, prior, provost, from Latin praepositus director, chief, man in charge, from praepositus, past participle of praeponere to put in front, put in charge of — more at preposition 1. a.: abbot b.: prior 1a 2.: the head of a cathedral or collegiate chapter : provost