captain
/ˈkæp.tən/ noun A2- A chief or leader.
- The person lawfully in command of a ship or other vessel. · The captain is the last man to leave a sinking ship.
- An army officer with a rank between the most senior grade of lieutenant and major.
- A naval officer with a rank between commander and commodore.
- A commissioned officer in the United States Navy, Coast Guard, NOAA Corps, or PHS Corps of a grade superior to a commander and junior to a rear admiral (lower half). A captain is equal in grade or rank to a United States Army, Marine Corps, or Air Force colonel.
- A rank qualifying an airline pilot to act as pilot in command of a two-pilot flight crew.
- One of the athletes on a sports team who is designated to make decisions, and is allowed to speak for his team with a referee or official.
- The leader of a group of workers. · John Henry said to the captain, "A man ain't nothing but a man."
Plural captains
From the library
After a long talk with the harbor-master, Captain Leclere left Naples greatly disturbed in mind.
“Yes—yes: poor Captain Leclere!
Scarcely was the captain’s breath out of his body when he assumed the command without consulting anyone, and he caused us to lose a day and a half at the Island of Elba, instead of making for Marseilles direct.”
“As to taking command of the vessel,” replied Morrel, “that was his duty as captain’s mate; as to losing a day and a half off the Island of Elba, he was wrong, unless the vessel needed repairs.”
Other matches
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