ENSIGNS

Noun

ensigns

plural of ensign

Verb

ensigns

Third-person singular simple present indicative form of ensign

Anagrams

• sensing

Source: Wiktionary

ENSIGN

En"sign, n. Etym: [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.

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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition