—n.
1 a a chief or leader. b the leader of a team, esp. in sports. c a powerful or influential person (captain of industry).
2 a the person in command of a merchant or passenger ship. b the pilot of a civil aircraft.
3 (as a title Captain) a an army or US Air Force officer next above lieutenant. b a Navy officer in command of a warship; one ranking below commodore or rear admiral and above commander. c US a police officer in charge of a precinct, ranking below Chief Officer.
4 a a foreman. b a head boy or girl in a school. c US a supervisor of waiters or bellboys.
5 a a great soldier or strategist. b an experienced commander.
—v.tr. be captain of; lead.
Phrases and idioms:
captain-general an honorary officer, esp. of artillery. Captain of the Fleet Brit. a Navy staff officer in charge of maintenance.
Derivatives:
captaincy n. (pl. -ies). captainship n.
Etymology: ME & OF capitain f. LL capitaneus chief f. L caput capit- head
Useful english dictionary. 2012.