WARDEN  , a custodian, defender,

guardian (see GUARDIAN, a word with which it is etymologically identical) . The word is frequently employed in the ordinary sense of a watchman or guardian, but more usually in England in the sense of a chief or head official . The lords wardens of the marches, for example, were powerful nobles appointed to guard the borders of Scotland and of Wales; they held their lands per baroniam, the king's writ not running against them, and they had extensive rights of administrating justice . The chief officer of the ancient stannaries of Cornwall has the title of lord warden (see STANNARIES), as has also the governor of Dover Castle (see CINQUE PORTS) . Warden was until 1870 the alternative title of the master of the mint, and " warden of the standards " the title of the head of the Standards office (see STANDARDS) . The principal or head of several of the colleges of Oxford University is also termed warden .