— officerial /aw'feuh sear"ee euhl, of'euh-/ , adj. — officerless , adj. — officership, officerhood , n.
/aw"feuh seuhr, of"euh-/ , n.
1. a person who holds a position of rank or authority in the army, navy, air force, or any similar organization, esp. one who holds a commission.
2. a member of a police department or a constable.
3. a person licensed to take full or partial responsibility for the operation of a merchant ship or other large civilian ship; a master or mate.
4. a person appointed or elected to some position of responsibility or authority in the government, a corporation, a society, etc.
5. (in some honorary orders) a member of any rank except the lowest.
6. Obs. an agent.
v.t.
7. to furnish with officers.
8. to command or direct as an officer does.
9. to direct, conduct, or manage.
[ 1275-1325; ME officier officiarius, equiv. to L offici ( um ) OFFICE + -arius -ARY; see -ER 2 , -IER 2 ]