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.

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