ensign

Noun

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

a person who holds a commissioned rank in the United States Navy or the United States Coast Guard; below lieutenant junior grade
an emblem flown as a symbol of nationalitySynonyms: national flag
colors flown by a ship to show its nationality

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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]

Ensign \En"sign\, v. t.

1.To designate as by an ensign. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Henry but joined the roses that ensigned Particular families.— B. Jonson.[1913 Webster]

2.To distinguish by a mark or ornament; esp. (Her.), by a crown; thus, any charge which has a crown immediately above or upon it, is said to be ensigned. [1913 Webster]