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in chief. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
in chief, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
in chief in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
in chief you have here. The definition of the word
in chief will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
in chief, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
Adjective
in chief
- (after a noun) Executive, the highest in command.
- (after a noun, humorous) The chief example; the worst offender.
No, it can't be Bill who gets assigned to this task. That dude is the slacker in chief around here.
- (heraldry) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see in, chief. In the chief of the escutcheon.
1844, John Burke, Bernard Burke, Encyclopædia of Heraldry, Or General Armory of England, Scotland and Ireland, page 375:Erm. a fesse betw. two demi lions in chief and three mascles in base gu.
1874, John Woody Papworth, An Alphabetical Dictionary of Coats of Arms Belonging to Families in Great Britain and Ireland: Forming an Extensive Ordinary of British Armorials : Upon an Entirely New Plan ..., page 1070:Arg. a saltire betw. a cross-gate in chief and in base and a crescent in each flank gu. / HEGENS, Scotland. Arg. a saltire engr. betw. a mullet in chief two crescents in flanks and a cross crosslet fitchy in base gu.
Usage notes
- In the sense "executive", usually used after nouns denoting an occupation.
Derived terms