[cap.tain] n [ME capitane, fr. MF capitain, fr. LL capitaneus, adj. & n., chief, fr. L capit-, caput head--more at head] (14c) 1 a (1): a military leader: the commander of a unit or a body of troops (2): a subordinate officer commanding under a sovereign or general (3): a commissioned officer in the army, air force, or marine corps ranking above a first lieutenant and below a major b: a naval officer who is master or commander of a ship; esp: a commissioned officer in the navy ranking above a commander and below a commodore and in the coast guard ranking above a commander and below a rear admiral c: a senior pilot who commands the crew of an airplane d: an officer in a police department or fire department in charge of a unit (as a precinct or company) and usu. ranking above a lieutenant and below a chief
2: one who leads or supervises: as a: a leader of a sports team or side b: headwaiter c: a person in charge of hotel bellhops--called also bell captain
3: a person of importance or influence in a field "~s of industry" -- cap.tain.cy n -- cap.tain.ship n
[2]captain vt (1598): to be captain of: lead "~ed the football team"