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Chief   /tʃif/   Listen
adjective
Chief  adj.  
1.
Highest in office or rank; principal; head. "Chief rulers."
2.
Principal or most eminent in any quality or action; most distinguished; having most influence; taking the lead; most important; as, the chief topic of conversation; the chief interest of man.
3.
Very intimate, near, or close. (Obs.) "A whisperer separateth chief friends."
Synonyms: Principal; head; leading; main; paramount; supreme; prime; vital; especial; great; grand; eminent; master.


noun
Chief  n.  
1.
The head or leader of any body of men; a commander, as of an army; a head man, as of a tribe, clan, or family; a person in authority who directs the work of others; the principal actor or agent.
2.
The principal part; the most valuable portion. "The chief of the things which should be utterly destroyed."
3.
(Her.) The upper third part of the field. It is supposed to be composed of the dexter, sinister, and middle chiefs.
In chief.
(a)
At the head; as, a commander in chief.
(b)
(Eng. Law) From the king, or sovereign; as, tenure in chief, tenure directly from the king.
Synonyms: Chieftain; captain; general; commander; leader; head; principal; sachem; sagamore; sheik. Chief, chieftain, Commander, Leader. These words fluctuate somewhat in their meaning according to circumstances, but agree in the general idea of rule and authority. The term chief is now more usually applied to one who is a head man, leader, or commander in civil or military affairs, or holds a hereditary or acquired rank in a tribe or clan; as, the chief of police; the chief of an Indian tribe. A chieftain is the chief of a clan or tribe, or a military leader. A commander directs the movements of or has control over a body of men, as a military or naval force. A leader is one whom men follow, as in a political party, a legislative body, a military or scientific expedition, etc., one who takes the command and gives direction in particular enterprises.





Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48


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"Chief" Quotes from Famous Books



... little sheet was interesting. Twice the Review was quoted in important meteorological journals and various weather periodicals were sent as exchanges to the office. It meant a lot of work for the editor-in-chief, but Fred's father, realizing that the post was an excellent training for his son, released him from ...
— The Boy with the U. S. Weather Men • Francis William Rolt-Wheeler
... the ardent temper and sweet spirit of the New Testament we try to discriminate as to what phases of human conduct receive the chief stress, we find the strongest emphasis is on brotherly love and chastity. The ethical service of the Christian church has been greatest in the direction of these two qualities. What it has done for purity is beyond our power to ...
— The Chief End of Man • George S. Merriam
... The chief source of information for those states that lie on the Mississippi, has been the personal observation of the author,—having explored most of the settlements in Missouri and Illinois, and a portion of Indiana and Ohio,—having spent ...
— A New Guide for Emigrants to the West • J. M. Peck
... one of the girls Milly had known at Gage's, the chief demoiselle of the pastry shop. And how was Madame Catteau, the patronne, and when did Jeanne come to America? The hat was forgotten while the two chattered half in French and half in English about ...
— One Woman's Life • Robert Herrick
... interrupt the good understanding that has long existed with the Barbary Powers, nor to check the good will which is gradually growing up from our intercourse with the dominions of the Government of growing of the distinguished chief of ...
— Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to the Present • Various


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