Main Entry: ¹cap·tain

Pronunciation: \ˈkap-tən also ˈkap-^əm\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English capitane, from Anglo-French capitain, from Late Latin capitaneus, adjective & noun, chief, from Latin capit-, caput head — more at head

Date: 14th century

1 a (1) : a military leader : the commander of a unit or a body of troops (2) : a subordinate officer commanding under a sovereign or general (3) : a commissioned officer in the army, air force, or marine corps ranking above a first lieutenant and below a major b (1) : a naval officer who is master or commander of a ship (2) : a commissioned officer in the navy ranking above a commander and below a commodore and in the coast guard ranking above a commander and below a rear admiral c : a senior pilot who commands the crew of an airplane d : an officer in a police department or fire department in charge of a unit (as a precinct or company) and usually ranking above a lieutenant and below a chief
2 : one who leads or supervises: as a : a leader of a sports team or side b : headwaiter c : a person in charge of hotel bellhops —called also bell captain
3 : a person of importance or influence in a field <captains of industry>

— cap·tain·cy \ˈkap-tən-sē\ noun

— cap·tain·ship \-ˌship\ noun