officer

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

   An officer is responsible for the lives of their men.

2. 2
   noun

   someone who is appointed or elected to an office and who holds a position of trust

   They are an officer of the court.

3. 3
   noun

   a person authorized to serve in a position of authority on a vessel

   They are the officer in charge of the ship's engines.

4. 4
   noun

   a member of a police force

   it was an accident, officer

5. 5
   noun

   One who has a position of authority in a hierarchical organization, especially in military, police or government organizations.

   Huerta was arrested while law enforcement officers were executing a federal search warrant at a Los Angeles business suspected of hiring illegal immigrants and falsifying employment papers, a special agent for Homeland Security Investigations, which is part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, wrote in a federal court filing. […] A law enforcement officer approached Huerta and told him to leave, then put his hands on Huerta to move him out of the way of a vehicle, the agent wrote.

6. 6
   noun

   A respectful term of address for an officer, especially a police officer.

   Nothing was too small to receive attention, if a supervising eye could suggest improvements likely to conduce to the common welfare. Mr. Gordon Burnage, for instance, personally visited dust-bins and back premises, accompanied by a sort of village bailiff, going his round like a commanding officer doing billets.

7. 7
   noun

   An agent or servant imparted with the ability, to some degree, to act on initiative.

   Early in the Talmudic period the service was divided between two officers. One was invited to recite the Shema including the benedictions connected with it... After he was through, another man was invited to stand up before the pulpit facing the direction of Jerusalem to recite the prayer proper, i.e., the Amida.

8. 8
   verb

   To command as or like an officer.

   Many of our journals are officered by Irish gentlemen, and their gallant brigade does the penning among us, as their ancestors used to transact the fighting in Europe; and engage under many a flag, to be good friends when the battle is over.

Etymology

From Middle English officer, from Anglo-Norman officer, officier, from Old French officer, Late Latin officiarius (“official”), from Latin officium (“office”) + -ārius (“-er”). By surface analysis, office + -er.