Printer Friendly
The Free Dictionary
1,004,923,401 visitors served.
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

ensign

   Also found in: Acronyms, Wikipedia 0.02 sec.
en·sign  (nsn, -sn)
n.
1. A national flag displayed on ships and aircraft, often with the special insignia of a branch or unit of the armed forces.
2. A standard or banner, as of a military unit.
3. Archaic A standard-bearer.
4. (nsn) Abbr. ENS
a. A commissioned rank in the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard that is below lieutenant junior grade.
b. One who holds this rank.
5.
a. A badge of office or power; an emblem: "I want the seals of power and place,/The ensigns of command,/Charged by the people's unbought grace,/To rule my native land" John Quincy Adams.
b. A sign; a token.

[Middle English ensigne, from Old French enseigne, from Latin nsignia, insignia; see insignia.]

ensign
Noun
1. a flag flown by a ship to indicate its nationality
2. any flag or banner
3. (in the US Navy) a commissioned officer of the lowest rank
4. (formerly, in the British infantry) a commissioned officer of the lowest rank [Latin insignia badges]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.ensign - a person who holds a commissioned rank in the United States Navy or the United States Coast Guard; below lieutenant junior grade
armed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine - the military forces of a nation; "their military is the largest in the region"; "the military machine is the same one we faced in 1991 but now it is weaker"
commissioned naval officer - a commissioned officer in the navy
2.ensignensign - an emblem flown as a symbol of nationality
flag - emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
allegory, emblem - a visible symbol representing an abstract idea
3.ensign - colors flown by a ship to show its nationality
colors, colours - a flag that shows its nationality

ensign
Translations
Spanish ensign [ˈɛnsaɪn] n (= flag) → bandera;
(NAUT) → alférez m

French ensign n (Naut) [ˈɛnsən]enseigne f, pavillon m;
(Mil) [ˈɛnsaɪn]porte-étendard m

Italian ensign n (NAUT) [ˈɛnsən]bandiera;
(MIL) [ˈɛnsaɪn]portabandiera m inv

?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
Add definition
? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
I changed my plans, joined him, served under him in the campaigns he made, was present at the deaths of the Counts Egmont and Horn, and was promoted to be ensign under a famous captain of Guadalajara, Diego de Urbina by name.
This Buonaparte has turned all their heads; they all think of how he rose from an ensign and became Emperor.
It was a silly affair--I was an ensign at the time.
 
Dictionary/thesaurus browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2008 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.