ensign

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English ensigne, from Old French enseigne, from Latin īnsignia, nominative plural of īnsigne, meaning marked, distinguished. Doublet of insignia. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈɛn.sɪn/, IPA(key): /ˈɛn.sən/, [ˈɛn.sn̩] IPA(key): /ˈɛn.saɪn/ Rhymes: -ɛnsən === Noun === ensign (plural ensigns) A badge of office, rank, or power. The lowest grade of commissioned officer in the United States Navy, junior to a lieutenant junior grade. A flag or banner carried by military units; a standard or color/colour. Synonym: ancient (nautical) The principal flag or banner flown by a ship (usually at the stern) to indicate nationality. Any prominent flag or banner. (historical) A junior commissioned officer in the 18th and 19th centuries whose duty was to carry the unit's ensign. ==== Synonyms ==== See Thesaurus:badge (junior commissioned officer): coronet (cavalry equivalent of the infantry ensign) second lieutenant (OF-1), first NATO commissioned officer grade above OF-0 trainee officer ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === ensign (third-person singular simple present ensigns, present participle ensigning, simple past and past participle ensigned) (obsolete) To designate as by an ensign. To distinguish by a mark or ornament. (heraldry) To distinguish by an ornament, especially by a crown. === Anagrams === engins, genins, Singen