ENSIGN • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Ensign

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/ˈɛnsən/ Listen

noun

ensign n.

1.

A flag; a banner; a standard; esp., the national flag, or a banner indicating nationality, carried by a ship or a body of soldiers; as distinguished from flags indicating divisions of the army, rank of naval officers, or private signals, and the like. "Hang up your ensigns, let your drums be still."

2.

A signal displayed like a standard, to give notice. "He will lift an ensign to the nations from far."

3.

Sign; badge of office, rank, or power; symbol. "The ensigns of our power about we bear."

4.

(a)

Formerly, a commissioned officer of the army who carried the ensign or flag of a company or regiment.

(b)

A commissioned officer of the lowest grade in the navy, corresponding to the grade of second lieutenant in the army. Note: In the British army the rank of ensign was abolished in 1871. In the United States army the rank is not recognized; the regimental flags being carried by a sergeant called the color sergeant.

Ensign bearer, one who carries a flag; an ensign.

verb

Ensign v. t.

1.

To designate as by an ensign. (Obs.) "Henry but joined the roses that ensigned Particular families."

2.

To distinguish by a mark or ornament; esp. (Her.), by a crown; thus, any charge which has a crown immediately above or upon it, is said to be ensigned.

See images of 'Ensign'

Etymology of 'Ensign'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Ensign" Quotes from Famous Books

... was activity aboard the destroyers. Directly, through his glass, Jack sighted nine rusty, English tramp steamers, of perhaps eight thousand tons, and a big liner auxiliary flying the Royal Navy ensign. ...

— The Boy Allies with the Victorious Fleets - The Fall of the German Navy • Robert L. Drake

... on the deck of the flagship had ceased, the mutineers having either slain or driven overboard all those who opposed them, and, while Frobisher's ship was still some distance away, he saw the Chinese flag flutter down from the Ting Yuen's peak, to be immediately replaced by the Japanese naval ensign; and the ship herself swung round in the direction of the enemy's squadron and began to forge ahead toward it, Prince Hsi having evidently determined to turn his guns against ...

— A Chinese Command - A Story of Adventure in Eastern Seas • Harry Collingwood

... commander of this little knifeblade," said Ensign MacMasters. "Junior Lieutenant Perkins has time off to attend to some private business, and I have been stuck aboard here for a few days. We're patrolling this stretch of coast, and I ran in to see if I could pick ...

— Navy Boys Behind the Big Guns - Sinking the German U-Boats • Halsey Davidson

... come in this morning, just after my husband had cleverly got away on his horse, but a young cock-a-whoop ensign, that belongs to Ninety-Six, and four great Scotchmen with him, all in red coats; they had been out thieving, I warrant, and were now going home again. And who but they! Here they were, swaggering all about my house—and calling for this—and calling for that—as if they ...

— Southern Literature From 1579-1895 • Louise Manly

... of the House of Commons, of the 13th June, 1642, contain the resolution "that Captain Wolseley, Ensign Dudley, and John Lometon be forthwith sent for, as delinquents, by the Serjeant-at-Arms attending on the House, for giving interruption to the execution of the ordinance of the militia in the county ...

— Industrial Biography - Iron Workers and Tool Makers • Samuel Smiles

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