/kap"teuhn, -tin/ , n.
1. a person who is at the head of or in authority over others; chief; leader.
2. an officer ranking in most armies above a first lieutenant and below a major.
3. an officer in the U.S. Navy ranking above a commander and below a rear admiral or a commodore.
4. a military leader.
5. an officer in the police department, ranking above a lieutenant and usually below an inspector.
6. an officer of the fire department, usually in command of a company, ranking above a lieutenant and below a chief or assistant chief.
7. the commander of a merchant vessel. Cf. staff captain .
8. the pilot of an airplane.
9. a local official in a political party responsible for organizing votes on a ward or precinct level.
10. Sports. the field leader of a team: The captain of the home team elected to receive on the kickoff.
11. a person of great power and influence, esp. based on economic wealth.
12. headwaiter.
13. See bell captain .
14. South Midland and Southern U.S. an unofficial title of respect for a man (sometimes used humorously or ironically).
v.t.
15. to lead or command as a captain.
[ 1325-75; ME capitain capitain, captayn capitaneus chief, equiv. to capit- (s. of caput ) head + -an ( us ) -AN + -eus -EOUS ]