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capitain. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
capitain, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
capitain in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
capitain you have here. The definition of the word
capitain will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
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Middle English
- capeteigne, capitaigne, capitan, capitayn, capitein, capiteine, capiteyn, captayn, captein, capteyn, capytayn
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)
- The head of a military force; a general or marshal.
- 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.
- (rare) The leader of a nation or a political division; a high-ranking administrator.
- (rare) One who leads military forces at sea.
Descendants
References