I. ˈchēf adjective
Date: 14th century
1. : accorded highest rank or office
chief librarian
2. : of greatest importance or influence
the chief reasons
II. adverb
Date: 14th century
archaic : chiefly
III. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French chief, chef head, chief, from Latin caput head — more at head
Date: 15th century
1. : the upper part of a heraldic field
2. : the head of a body of persons or an organization : leader
chief of police
3. : the principal or most valuable part
would never rest till she had read the chief of the letter to him — Jane Austen
• chief·dom -dəm noun
• chief·ship -ˌship noun
•
- in chief