n. & adj.
n. 1 a a leader or ruler. b the head of a tribe, clan, etc. 2 the head of a department; the highest official. 3 Heraldry the upper third of a shield.
adj. (usu. attrib.) 1 first in position, importance, influence, etc. (chief engineer). 2 prominent, leading. Chief of Staff the senior staff officer of a service or command. -in-Chief supreme (Commander-in-Chief). chiefdom n.
[ ME f. OF ch(i)ef ult. f. L caput head ]