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ensign

/ˈɛn.sɪn/ noun

In Latin: insigne Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about ensign at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  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.
  3. Colors flown by a ship to show its nationality.

Origin

From Middle English ensigne, from Old French enseigne, from Latin īnsignia, nominative plural of īnsigne, meaning marked, distinguished. Doublet of insignia.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)