ˈkərn ə l, ˈkə̄n ə l noun
( -s )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by Middle French or Old Italian; Middle French colonel, from Old Italian colonnello ) of earlier coronel, from Middle French, modification of Old Italian colonnello column of soldiers, colonel, diminutive of colonna column, from Latin columna — more at column
1. : an army, marine, or air force officer ranking below a brigadier general and above a lieutenant colonel and entitled to the insignia of a silver eagle
2. : a minor purely titular officer or official of a state or similar instrumentality especially in southern or midland U.S. — used as an honorific title without much significance and without military rating; used sometimes of an auctioneer or drummer
3. : a Salvation Army officer ranking above a lieutenant colonel and below a lieutenant commissioner