one who has the conduct, inspection, and management of any thing. See SUPERINTENDANT.

This is a title frequent among the French: they have intendants of the marine, who are officers in the sea-ports, Intendant ports, whose business it is to take care the ordinances and regulations relating to sea affairs be observed; intendants of the finances, who have the direction of the revenues; intendants of provinces, who are appointed by the king to take care of the administration of justice, policy, and finances in the province; also intendants of buildings, of houses, &c.