deken

Deken is a Dutch noun with two main meanings. The most common meaning is a blanket or comforter used on beds. A deken is typically made of wool, cotton, or synthetic fibers and comes in various weights and sizes to provide warmth and comfort as part of bed linens.

The second meaning refers to an ecclesiastical office. A deken is the head of a deanery, the geographical grouping of several parishes within a diocese. In this role, the deken coordinates clergy, supervises parish matters, and represents the deanery in diocesan structures. This sense of the word is cognate with the English term “dean,” both deriving from the Latin decanus and used in Catholic, Anglican, and other Christian traditions.

In Dutch usage, the two senses are typically distinguished by context. The blanket sense appears in everyday domestic language, while the church sense is common in religious, administrative, or historical discussions. The word can also appear as a surname.