superintendency

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the act or responsibility of supervising, directing, or administering an organization or activity

   The harbor works proceeded under the superintendency of an experienced engineer.

2. 2
   noun

   the office, authority, department, or term of service of a superintendent

   During her superintendency, the district opened three new schools.

Formed from superintendent + -cy, with the older sense 'superintendence, oversight' alongside the office or tenure of a superintendent. Superintend ultimately combines Latin super ('over') with intendere ('to direct one's attention').

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