The Collaborative International Dictionary
Warden \Ward"en\, n. [OE. wardein, OF. wardein, gardein, gardain, F. gardien. See Guardian, and Ward guard.]
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A keeper; a guardian; a watchman.
He called to the warden on the . . . battlements.
--Sir. W. Scott. An officer who keeps or guards; a keeper; as, the warden of a prison.
A head official; as, the warden of a college; specifically (Eccl.), a churchwarden.
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[Properly, a keeping pear.] A large, hard pear, chiefly used for baking and roasting. [Obs.]
I would have had him roasted like a warden.
--Beau. & Fl.Warden pie, a pie made of warden pears. [Obs.]
--Shak.