ensign

Meaning

Noun

1. A badge of office, rank, or power.
2. The lowest grade of commissioned officer in the United States Navy, junior to a lieutenant junior grade.
3. A flag or banner carried by military units; a standard or color/colour.
4. The principal flag or banner flown by a ship (usually at the stern) to indicate nationality.
5. Any prominent flag or banner.
6. A junior commissioned officer in the 18th and 19th centuries whose duty was to carry the unit's ensign.

Verb

1. (obsolete) To designate as by an ensign.
2. To distinguish by a mark or ornament.
3. To distinguish by an ornament, especially by a crown.

Synonyms

banner

flag

standard

second lieutenant

colours

emblem

colors

sublieutenant

symbol

mark

national flag

sign

pennant

marker

marking

military rank

pennon

sentinel

standard bearer

standard-bearer

streamer

sub-lieutenant

battle flag

buntings

officer cadet

petty naval officer

characteristics identification

2nd lieutenant

attribute

banderole

blip

cockade

color

colour

coronet

designate

gonfalon

insignia

jack

labeling

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɛn.sɪn/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: ensigne

In summary

From Middle English ensigne, from Old French enseigne, from Latin īnsignia, nominative plural of īnsigne, meaning marked, distinguished. Doublet of insignia.