capitain

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Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Borrowed from Old French capitaine, itself borrowed from Late Latin capitāneus. Doublet of cheveteyn.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /kap(i)ˈtɛi̯n(ə)/, /ˌkaːp(i)ˈtɛi̯n(ə)/, /ˈkap(ə)tin(ə)/

Noun

capitain (plural capitaines)

  1. The head of a military force; a general or marshal.
  2. An officer; one who commands part of an army.
    • c. 1375, “Book VI”, in Iohne Barbour, De geſtis bellis et uirtutibus domini Roberti de Brwyß (The Brus, Advocates MS. 19.2.2)‎, Ouchtirmunſye: Iohannes Ramſay, published 1489, folio 21, recto, lines 431-434; republished at Edinburgh: National Library of Scotland, c. 2010:
      Thyꝛwall þ[at] was þ[air] capitain / Wes þ[air] in þe baꝛgain slain / ⁊ off his men þe maſt p[ar]ty / Ϸe laue fled full affrayitly
      Thirlwall, who was their commander / was killed there in the struggle / with the greatest part of his men; / the rest fled very frightened.
  3. (rare) The leader of a nation or a political division; a high-ranking administrator.
  4. (rare) One who leads military forces at sea.

Descendants

  • English: captain (see there for further descendants)
  • Scots: caiptain

References