Dignitaries in Chaldean society (5)

I believe the answer is:

deans

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'dignitaries' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'in chaldean society' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates a hidden word.
'DEANS' is hidden in the letters of 'chaldean society'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for deans that I've seen is " chief judges".)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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