Ensign bearer

Ensign bearer
ensign en"sign ([e^]n"s[i^]n also [e^]n"s[imac]n, except for 4a), n. [L. enseigne, L. insignia, pl. of insigne a distinctive mark, badge, flag; in + signum mark, sign. See {Sign}, and cf. {Insignia}, 3d {Ancient}.] 1. A flag; a banner; a standard; esp., the national flag, or a banner indicating nationality, carried by a ship or a body of soldiers; -- as distinguished from flags indicating divisions of the army, rank of naval officers, or private signals, and the like. [1913 Webster]

Hang up your ensigns, let your drums be still. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. A signal displayed like a standard, to give notice. [1913 Webster]

He will lift an ensign to the nations from far. --Is. v. 26. [1913 Webster]

3. Sign; badge of office, rank, or power; symbol. [1913 Webster]

The ensigns of our power about we bear. --Waller. [1913 Webster]

4. (a) Formerly, a commissioned officer of the army who carried the ensign or flag of a company or regiment. (b) A commissioned officer of the lowest grade in the navy, corresponding to the grade of second lieutenant in the army. --Ham. Nav. Encyc. [1913 Webster]

Note: In the British army the rank of ensign was abolished in 1871. In the United States army the rank is not recognized; the regimental flags being carried by a sergeant called the color sergeant. [1913 Webster]

{Ensign bearer}, one who carries a flag; an ensign. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • ensign bearer — noun 1. : the bearer of a flag 2. archaic : ensign 3a …   Useful english dictionary

  • ensign-bearer — …   Useful english dictionary

  • ensign — en sign ([e^]n s[i^]n also [e^]n s[imac]n, except for 4a), n. [L. enseigne, L. insignia, pl. of insigne a distinctive mark, badge, flag; in + signum mark, sign. See {Sign}, and cf. {Insignia}, 3d {Ancient}.] 1. A flag; a banner; a standard; esp …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ensign (rank) — Ensign (IPA2|ˈɛnsən) is a junior rank of commissioned officer in the militaries of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself… …   Wikipedia

  • ensign — [en′sīn΄; ] also, & for 4 always [, en′sən] n. [ME & OFr enseigne < L insignia: see INSIGNIA] 1. a badge, symbol, or token of office or authority 2. a flag or banner; specif., a national flag, as one displayed on a ship [Historical] 3. Brit.… …   English World dictionary

  • ensign — ► NOUN 1) a flag, especially a military or naval one indicating nationality. 2) the lowest rank of commissioned officer in the US and some other navies, above chief warrant officer and below lieutenant. 3) historical a standard bearer. ORIGIN Old …   English terms dictionary

  • ensign — n. 1 a a banner or flag, esp. the military or naval flag of a nation. b Brit. a flag with the union in the corner. 2 a standard bearer. 3 a hist. the lowest commissioned infantry officer. b US the lowest commissioned officer in the navy. Phrases… …   Useful english dictionary

  • ensign — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) n. flag; badge, emblem, insignia; standard bearer. See indication, combatant. II (Roget s IV) n. 1. [A symbolic standard] Syn. flag, banner, insignia, colors, jack, pennant, streamer, pennon, pendant,… …   English dictionary for students

  • ensign — ensignship, ensigncy, n. /en suyn/; Mil. /en seuhn/, n. 1. a flag or banner, as a military or naval standard used to indicate nationality. 2. a badge of office or authority, as heraldic arms. 3. a sign, token, or emblem: the dove, an ensign of… …   Universalium

  • ensign — en•sign [[t]ˈɛn sən[/t]] for 1 3,5also [[t] saɪn[/t]] n. 1) mil navig. a flag or banner, as a naval standard used to indicate nationality 2) a badge of office or authority, as heraldic arms 3) a sign, token, or emblem: the dove, an ensign of… …   From formal English to slang

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