captain

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The person in charge of a ship or aircraft.

   The captain told the passengers to fasten their seatbelts.

2. 2
   noun

   The player chosen to lead a sports team.

   As captain, she encouraged her teammates before the match.

3. 3
   noun

   An army officer ranking above a lieutenant and below a major.

   The captain ordered his soldiers to set up camp.

4. 4
   verb

   To be the leader of a team.

   He captained the national team for five years.

From Middle English capitain, capteyn, from Old French capitaine, from Late Latin capitāneus, from Latin caput (“head”) (English cap). Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kap-. Doublet of chieftain, also from Old French.

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