ensign
UK/'ensain/US
GREC2
Definitions
n.
A flag, especially one flown by a ship to show its nationality.
（尤指船上表明国籍的）旗，军旗。
n.
The lowest commissioned officer rank in the US Navy.
（美国海军）少尉。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedUltimately from Latin insignia (marks of distinction), reshaped through Old French enseigne. An ensign is a signum on a pole — a banner or flag. Because a junior officer's job was to carry the unit's flag into battle, 'ensign' came to name the rank itself.
Root sign still carries 17 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.national ensign国旗（船旗）
- 2.raise the ensign升旗
- 3.naval ensign海军旗
Example Sentences
- 1.
The ship raised its national ensign as it entered the harbor.
- 2.
He was commissioned as an ensign straight out of the academy.