n. & v.
n. 1 a a chief or leader. b the leader of a team, esp. in sports. c a powerful or influential person (captain of industry). 2 a the person in command of a merchant or passenger ship. b the pilot of a civil aircraft. 3 (as a title Captain) a an army or US Air Force officer next above lieutenant. b a Navy officer in command of a warship; one ranking below commodore or rear admiral and above commander. c US a police officer in charge of a precinct, ranking below Chief Officer. 4 a a foreman. b a head boy or girl in a school. c US a supervisor of waiters or bellboys. 5 a a great soldier or strategist. b an experienced commander.
v.tr. be captain of; lead. captain-general an honorary officer, esp. of artillery. Captain of the Fleet Brit. a Navy staff officer in charge of maintenance. captaincy n. (pl. -ies). captainship n.
[ ME & OF capitain f. LL capitaneus chief f. L caput capit- head ]