ensign

Pronunciation: /ˈɛn.sɪn/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a person who holds a commissioned rank in the United States Navy or the United States Coast Guard; below lieutenant junior grade
  2. noun an emblem flown as a symbol of nationality
  3. noun colors flown by a ship to show its nationality

Etymology

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

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
commissioned naval officer

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