doyen (female: doyenne)
noun

-  the senior member of a body or group

- the most respected or prominent person in a particular field

- a person considered to be knowledgeable or uniquely skilled as a result of long experience in some field of endeavor

- the oldest, most experienced, and often most respected person of all the people involved in a particular type of work

Oxford Languages, Merriam-Webster, Cambridge Dictionary

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WORD ORIGIN

"Doyen" has a rich etymological history, tracing back to multiple languages and contexts. It originates from the French word doyen, from the Late Latin decānus, meaning "head of ten" (from Latin decem, meaning "ten"). The term was used in various contexts, including ecclesiastical and military, to denote a leader of a group of ten individuals.

In English, the terms doyen/doyenne refer to the senior member of a group, usually someone with extensive knowledge or experience in a particular field.

Historically, the term has been applied in diplomatic contexts, where the doyen of the diplomatic corps is the longest-serving ambassador in a country,... and often with ceremonial responsibilities and privileges.

Beyond diplomacy, the term encompasses fields like journalism, academia, and the arts, where the most experienced or respected individual is recognized as the doyen/doyenne of their domain.

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HUMAN LEGENDS

- Architecture = Frank Lloyd Wright — renowned for his innovative designs and concepts of organic architecture

- Art = Leonardo da Vinci — celebrated for masterpieces like the 'Mona Lisa' and 'The Last Supper', as well as his contributions to diverse scientific fields.

- Astronomy = Galileo Galilei — made pioneering observations that laid the groundwork for modern astronomy.

- Biology = Charles Darwin — developed the theory of evolution by natural selection.

- Chemistry = Marie Curie — pioneered research on radioactivity, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.

- Computer Science = Alan Turing — pioneered theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence, played a crucial role in breaking the Enigma code during World War II.

- Economics = Adam Smith — often considered the "Father of Economics" for his work "The Wealth of Nations."

- Engineering = Nikola Tesla — known for his work on alternating current (AC) electrical systems and many other innovations.

- Fashion = Coco Chanel — revolutionized women's fashion with her timeless designs and the introduction of the "little black dress."

- Film = Alfred Hitchcock — famous for his mastery of suspense and psychological thrillers in cinema.

- Journalism = Walter Cronkite — highly respected news anchor known as "the most trusted man in America."

- Literature = William Shakespeare — celebrated for his extensive body of plays, sonnets, and influence on the English language.

- Mathematics = Isaac Newton — a key figure in the development of calculus and classical mechanics.

- Medicine = Hippocrates — often called the "Father of Medicine" for his foundational role in the practice of clinical medicine.

- Music = Ludwig van Beethoven — influential composer known for his symphonies, sonatas, and the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras.

- Philosophy = Socrates — known for his contributions to ethics and epistemology, and his method of inquiry.

- Physics = Albert Einstein — renowned for his theory of relativity and contributions to quantum mechanics.

- Political Science = Niccolò Machiavelli — known for his treatise "The Prince," which remains a key work in political theory.

- Psychology = Sigmund Freud — pioneered psychoanalysis and theories of the unconscious mind.

- Sports = Michael Jordan — widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

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SYNONYMS

a pillar of the community, ace, acknowledged leader, authority, beacon, big cheese (fish, gun, wheel), chief, connoisseur, dean, director, DOYEN, elder statesman, eminence, éminence grise, expert, father figure, figurehead, first in line, forerunner, front-runner, grand old man, grand master, guru, head (honcho), heavyweight, high priest, honcho, icon, influential figure, kingpin, leading light, legend, lion, living monument, lodestar, luminary, maestro, master, master hand, mastermind, mentor, mogul, mover and shaker, notable, oracle, patriarch, pillar, pioneer, prime mover, principal, pro, pundit, sage, seasoned veteran, senior member (statesman), shaper, standout, standout figure, star, superstar, top brass, top dog, top of the heap, torchbearer, trailblazer, virtuoso, venerated figure, veteran, visionary, wellspring, wise elder, wise old owl, wizard, yardstick, zenith, zen master

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a sentence, say something like:

“Every field has its DOYENS… who do you particularly admire?”

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