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chief

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chief

 

  3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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. 
 
  2.  The  principal  part  the  most  valuable  portion. 
 
  The  chief  of  the  things  which  should  be  utterly 
  destroyed.  --1  Sam.  xv 
  21 
 
  3.  (Her.)  The  upper  third  part  of  the  field.  It  is  supposed 
  to  be  composed  of  the  dexter,  sinister,  and  middle  chiefs. 
 
  {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. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Chief  \Chief\,  a. 
  1.  Highest  in  office  or  rank;  principal;  head.  ``Chief 
  rulers.''  --John.  xii.  42. 
 
  2.  Principal  or  most  eminent  in  any  quality  or  action  most 
  distinguished;  having  most  influence;  taking  the  lead; 
  most  important;  as  the  chief  topic  of  conversation;  the 
  chief  interest  of  man. 
 
  3.  Very  intimate,  near  or  close  [Obs.] 
 
  A  whisperer  separateth  chief  friends.  --Prov.  xvi. 
  28. 
 
  Syn:  Principal;  head;  leading;  main;  paramount;  supreme; 
  prime;  vital;  especial;  great;  grand;  eminent;  master. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  chief 
  adj  1:  most  important  element;  "the  chief  aim  of  living";  "the  main 
  doors  were  of  solid  glass";  "the  principal  rivers  of 
  America";  "the  principal  example";  "policemen  were 
  primary  targets"  [syn:  {chief(a)},  {main(a)},  {primary(a)}, 
  {principal(a)}] 
  2:  (of  persons)  highest  in  rank  or  authority  or  office;  "his 
  arch  rival";  "the  boss  man";  "the  chief  executive";  "head 
  librarian";  "top  administrators"  [syn:  {arch(a)},  {boss(a)}, 
  {chief(a)},  {head(a)},  {top(a)}] 
  n  1:  a  person  who  is  in  charge;  "the  head  of  the  whole  operation" 
  [syn:  {head},  {top  dog}] 
  2:  a  person  who  exercises  control  over  workers;  "if  you  want  to 
  leave  early  you  have  to  ask  the  foreman"  [syn:  {foreman}, 
  {gaffer},  {honcho},  {boss}]




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