Provost vs Headmaster - What's the difference?

As nouns the difference between provost and headmaster

is that provost is the equivalent of mayor in some Scottish cities while headmaster is a male school principal.

is {{surname|from=Middle English}.

(wikipedia provost)

(en noun)

(Scottish local government) The equivalent of mayor in some Scottish cities.

(higher education) A senior academic administrator; sometimes called the Vice-President of Academic Affairs.

(religion) The highest position in a monastery below an abbot.

A prison keeper, especially in the military.

* 1604 , , I. ii. 113:

Here comes Signor Claudio, led by the provost / to prison;

* Lord Provost * Provost Marshall

(en noun)

(chiefly, UK) A male school principal.

The term is gender-specific, and refers to a male in the position. A female in the same role would be called a headmistress .

* headteacher * principal