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 chief2: 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