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cheveteyn. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
cheveteyn, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
cheveteyn in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
cheveteyn you have here. The definition of the word
cheveteyn will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
cheveteyn, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Middle English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Borrowed from Old French chevetaine, from Late Latin capitaneus. Doublet of capitain.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˌt͡ʃeːvəˈtæi̯n(ə)/, /ˈt͡ʃeːvətin(ə)/, /t͡ʃeːfˈtæi̯n(ə)/, /ˈt͡ʃeːftin(ə)/
Noun
cheveteyn (plural cheveteynes)
- The leader of a nation or a political division; a high-ranking politician.
- The head of a military grouping; a general or marshal.
- late 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer, The Knight's Tale, The Canterbury Tales, line 2555-2557:
And if so falle, the chieftayn be take
On either syde, or elles slee his make,
No lenger shal the turneyinge laste.- And if so happen that the chieftain be taken
On either side, or else should slay his opponent,
The tournament shall last no longer.
- A head, chief or boss; any sort of person at the top of a hierarchy.
- (rare) A religious head or exemplar.
Descendants
References