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Intermediate Dictionary
       

cap·tain

captain

 
 
pronunciation:
kaep tihn
parts of speech:
noun, verb
features:
Word History, Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: noun
definition 1: a leader.
The president of that company is known as a captain of industry.
synonyms:
chief, leader
similar words:
chieftain, commander, head, master, officer
definition 2: the chief officer of a merchant ship or an airplane.
 
similar words:
chief, master, officer, pilot
definition 3: an officer of the U.S. Army, Air Force, or Marines, holding the rank just below major.
similar words:
commander, officer
definition 4: an officer of the U.S. Navy, holding the rank just below admiral.
similar words:
commander, officer
definition 5: a police officer holding a rank above lieutenant.
similar words:
officer
definition 6: the field leader of a sports team.
synonyms:
leader
similar words:
boss, chief
 
part of speech: verb
inflections: captains, captaining, captained
definition: to lead as captain.
He captained the ship.
synonyms:
head, lead, pilot, steer
similar words:
boss, command
derivations: captaincy (n.), captainship (n.)
Word History
The word captain comes from a Latin word that means "head."
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