en·sign /ˈɛn(t)sən, ||ˈɛnˌsaɪn ||/
 國旗,海軍少尉,掌旗官,徽章


 en·sign n.
 1. A flag; a banner; a standard; esp., the national flag, or a banner indicating nationality, carried by a ship or a body of soldiers; -- as distinguished from flags indicating divisions of the army, rank of naval officers, or private signals, and the like.
    Hang up your ensigns, let your drums be still.   --Shak.
 2. A signal displayed like a standard, to give notice.
    He will lift an ensign to the nations from far.   --Is. v. 26.
 3. Sign; badge of office, rank, or power; symbol.
    The ensigns of our power about we bear.   --Waller.
 4. (a) Formerly, a commissioned officer of the army who carried the ensign or flag of a company or regiment. (b) A commissioned officer of the lowest grade in the navy, corresponding to the grade of second lieutenant in the army.
 Note: ☞ In the British army the rank of ensign was abolished in 1871. In the United States army the rank is not recognized; the regimental flags being carried by a sergeant called the color sergeant.
 Ensign bearer, one who carries a flag; an ensign.

 ◄ ►


 En·sign, v. t.
 1. To designate as by an ensign. [Obs.]
 Henry but joined the roses that ensigned
 Particular families.   --B. Jonson.
 2. To distinguish by a mark or ornament; esp. Her., by a crown; thus, any charge which has a crown immediately above or upon it, is said to be ensigned.

 ◄ ►


 ensign
      n 1: a person who holds a commissioned rank in the United States
           Navy or the United States Coast Guard; below lieutenant
           junior grade
      2: an emblem flown as a symbol of nationality [syn: {national
         flag]
      3: colors flown by a ship to show its nationality


 Ensign
    (1.) Heb. 'oth, a military standard, especially of a single
    tribe (Num. 2:2). Each separate tribe had its own "sign" or
    "ensign."

      (2.) Heb. nes, a lofty signal, as a column or high pole (Num.
    21:8, 9); a standard or signal or flag placed on high mountains
    to point out to the people a place of rendezvous on the
    irruption of an enemy (Isa. 5:26; 11:12; 18:3; 62:10; Jer. 4:6,
    21; Ps. 60:4). This was an occasional signal, and not a military
    standard. Elevation and conspicuity are implied in the word.

      (3.) The Hebrew word _degel_ denotes the standard given to
    each of the four divisions of the host of the Israelites at the
    Exodus (Num. 1:52; 2:2; 10:14). In Cant. 2:4 it is rendered
    "banner." We have no definite information as to the nature of
    these military standards. (See BANNER.)