'In chief' definitions:
Definition of 'In chief'
From: GCIDE
- Chief \Chief\ (ch[=e]n), n. [OE. chief, chef, OF. chief, F. chef, fr. L. caput head, possibly akin to E. head. Cf. Captain, Chapter]
- 1. The head or leader of any body of men; a commander, as of an army; a head man, as of a tribe, clan, or family; a person in authority who directs the work of others; the principal actor or agent. [1913 Webster]
- 2. The principal part; the most valuable portion. [1913 Webster]
- The chief of the things which should be utterly destroyed. --1 Sam. xv. 21 [1913 Webster]
- 3. (Her.) The upper third part of the field. It is supposed to be composed of the dexter, sinister, and middle chiefs. [1913 Webster]
- In chief. (a) At the head; as, a commander in chief. (b) (Eng. Law) From the king, or sovereign; as, tenure in chief, tenure directly from the king.
- Syn: Chieftain; captain; general; commander; leader; head; principal; sachem; sagamore; sheik.
- Usage: Chief, chieftain, Commander, Leader. These words fluctuate somewhat in their meaning according to circumstances, but agree in the general idea of rule and authority. The term chief is now more usually applied to one who is a head man, leader, or commander in civil or military affairs, or holds a hereditary or acquired rank in a tribe or clan; as, the chief of police; the chief of an Indian tribe. A chieftain is the chief of a clan or tribe, or a military leader. A commander directs the movements of or has control over a body of men, as a military or naval force. A leader is one whom men follow, as in a political party, a legislative body, a military or scientific expedition, etc., one who takes the command and gives direction in particular enterprises. [1913 Webster]
Words containing 'In chief'
- Chief,
- Chief Lake,
- Chief baron,
- Chief hare,
- Chief justice,
- Commander in chief,
- Dexter chief,
- Examination in chief,
- Little chief,
- Sinister chief,
- Tenant in chief,
- arab chief,
- chief assistant,
- chief constable,
- chief executive,
- chief joseph,
- chief of staff,
- chief of state,
- chief of the three,
- chief priest,
- chief secretary,
- chiefs of asia,
- editor in chief,
- fire chief,
- in-chief,
- indian chief,
- joint chiefs,
- musician chief,
- police chief,
- tribal chief,
- Chief Lake, WI,
- Chief-justiceship,
- Little chief hare,
- chief executive officer,
- chief financial officer,
- chief operating officer,
- chief petty officer,
- chief water tender,
- joint chiefs of staff,
- Chief Justice of the United States,
- Lord Chief Justice of England,
- senior chief petty officer