Meanings
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noun
the governor, keeper, or resident commander of a castle or fortified place
The castellan refused to surrender the keep without a direct order from his lord.
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Etymology
From Middle English castelain, through Old French castelain, from Latin castellanus, 'occupant or governor of a castle.' Castellanus comes from castellum, 'castle or citadel,' a diminutive of castrum, 'fortified place.' Castellan and chatelain are historical doublets.