Ensign - Dictionary Definition and Overview

Ensign :  (noun)
1: a person who holds a commissioned rank in the United States Navy or the United States Coast Guard; below lieutenant junior grade
2: an emblem flown as a symbol of nationality [syn: national flag]
3: colors flown by a ship to show its nationality

Based on WordNet 2.0

Ensign : \En"sign\, n. [L. enseigne, L. insignia, pl. of insigne a distinctive mark, badge, flag; in _ signum mark, sign. See Sign, and cf. Insignia, 3d Ancient.] 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. --Shak.

2. A signal displayed like a standard, to give notice.

He will lift an ensign to the nations from far. --Is. v. 26.

3. Sign; badge of office, rank, or power; symbol.

The ensigns of our power about we bear. --Waller.

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. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.

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.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Ensign : \En"sign\, v. t. 1. To designate as by an ensign. [Obs.]

Henry but joined the roses that ensigned Particular families. --B. Jonson.

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.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Ensign, KS (city, FIPS 21400) Location: 37.65358 N, 100.23224 W Population (1990): 192 (80 housing units) Area: 0.7 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 67841

Based on U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [Census_Database]:

Ensign :  (1.) Heb. 'oth, a military standard, especially of a single tribe (Num. 2:2). Each separate tribe had its own "sign" or "ensign."

(2.) Heb. nes, a lofty signal, as a column or high pole (Num. 21:8, 9); a standard or signal or flag placed on high mountains to point out to the people a place of rendezvous on the irruption of an enemy (Isa. 5:26; 11:12; 18:3; 62:10; Jer. 4:6, 21; Ps. 60:4). This was an occasional signal, and not a military standard. Elevation and conspicuity are implied in the word.

(3.) The Hebrew word _degel_ denotes the standard given to each of the four divisions of the host of the Israelites at the Exodus (Num. 1:52; 2:2; 10:14). In Cant. 2:4 it is rendered "banner." We have no definite information as to the nature of these military standards. (See BANNER.)



Based on U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [Census_Database]:
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