chieftain

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chief·tain

(chēf′tən)

The leader or head of a group, especially of a clan or tribe.

[Middle English cheftain, from Old French chevetain, from Late Latin capitāneus, from Latin caput, head; see kaput- in Indo-European roots.]

chief′tain·cy n.

chief′tain·ship′ n.

chieftain

(ˈtʃiːftən; -tɪn)

1. (Anthropology & Ethnology) the head or leader of a tribe or clan

2. the chief of a group of people

[C14: from Old French chevetaine, from Late Latin capitāneus commander; see captain]

ˈchieftaincy, ˈchieftainˌship n

chief•tain

(ˈtʃif tən)

n.

1. the chief of a clan or a tribe.

2. a leader of a group, band, etc.: the robbers' chieftain.

[1275–1325; Middle English cheftayne, variant of chevetaine < Old French < Late Latin capitāneus captain]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Noun	1.	chieftain - the leader of a group of people; "a captain of industry" captain leader - a person who rules or guides or inspires others
	2.	chieftain - the head of a tribe or clan tribal chief, headman, chief leader - a person who rules or guides or inspires others Indian chief, Indian chieftain - the leader of a group of Native Americans pendragon - the supreme war chief of the ancient Britons

chieftain

noun

One who is highest in rank or authority:

boss, chief, director, head, headman, hierarch, leader, master.

Slang: honcho.

Idiom: cock of the walk.

Translations

زَعيمُ القَبيلَه

náčelník

høvding

Häuptling

chef

törzsfõnök

höfîingi

høvding

атаман вождь главарь Чифтен

náčelník

kabile reisi

族长酋长

chieftain

[ˈtʃiːftən] N → jefe/a m/f, cacique m (LAm)

chieftain

[ˈtʃiːftən] n → chef m

chieftain

n (of tribe) → Häuptling m; (of clan) → Oberhaupt nt, → Älteste(r) m; (of robber band) → Hauptmann m; the village chieftain → der Dorfälteste

chieftain

[ˈtʃiːftən] n → capo tribù

chief

(tʃiːf) adjective

greatest in importance etc. the chief cause of disease.

noun

the head of a clan or tribe, or a department, business etc.

ˈchiefly adverb

mainly. She became ill chiefly because she did not eat enough.

ˌchief eˈxecutive ˌofficer noun

(also CEO) the president of a large company.

ˈchieftain (-tən) noun

the head of a clan, tribe etc.

Mentioned in ?

References in classic literature ?

The assembled warriors and chieftains examined me closely, feeling my muscles and the texture of my skin.

There were few formalities observed in approaching the Martian chieftain. My captor merely strode up to the rostrum, the others making way for him as he advanced.

View in context

With one accord, chieftains and warriors, they turned and bolted for the doorway; a narrow doorway, where they jammed, fighting and screaming in an effort to escape.

"Are all my chieftains cowards and cravens?" he demanded presently in sneering tones.

View in context

Now, when your weapons are dulled, your ardor damped, your strength exhausted and your treasure spent, other chieftains will spring up to take advantage of your extremity.

View in context

To this end twenty warriors were despatched in pairs to ten of the leading kingdoms, with instructions to make every effort to discover the where-abouts of Hooja and Dian, while prosecuting their missions to the chieftains to whom they were sent.

Shouldering his way through the throng of warriors, the mighty chieftain advanced toward me.

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And at first he sings small, and is hail-fellow-well-met with Sheamus -- that's James of the Glens, my chieftain's agent.

View in context

It was with a sigh of relief that their chieftain saw the party disappear about a headland a short distance up-river.

View in context

- Expedition of M'Dougal and David Stuart- Comcomly, the OneEyed Chieftain.- Influence of Wealth in Savage Life.- Slavery Among the Natives.-An Aristocracy of Flatheads.- Hospitality Among the Chinooks- Comcomly's Daughter.- Her Conquest.

View in context

"The good chieftain had chosen warriors of the Geatish people, the bravest of those who he could find.

View in context

Robert Campbell, from whom we have most of these facts, in the course of one of his trapping expeditions, was quartered in the village of Arapooish, and a guest in the lodge of the chieftain. He had collected a large quantity of furs, and, fearful of being plundered, deposited but a part in the lodge of the chief; the rest he buried in a cache.