ensign /ˈɛn.sɪn/noun 6verb 3forms 3 noun6 •A flag or banner carried by military units; a standard or color/colour. •The lowest grade of commissioned officer in the United States Navy, junior to a lieutenant junior grade. •(historical) A junior commissioned officer in the 18th and 19th centuries whose duty was to carry the unit's ensign. •The principal flag or banner flown by a ship (usually at the stern) to indicate nationality.But Alcibiades swiftly ran up the Athenian ensign on his flagship and bore down on that part of the Peloponnesian fleet which held the advantage and was pursuing the Athenians. — 1960 •Any prominent flag or banner.Ten thousand thousand ensigns high advanced. — 1667 •A badge of office, rank, or power.The Ensigns of our Power about we bear; / And every Land pays Tribute to the Fair. — 1690 verb3 •To distinguish by a mark or ornament. •To distinguish by an ornament, especially by a crown.Any charge which has a crown immediately above or upon it, is said to be ensigned. •(no longer used) To designate as by an ensign. formsensigned · ensigning · ensigns
