Definition of "ensign" []

• A national flag displayed on ships and aircraft, often with the special insignia of a branch or unit of the armed forces. (noun)
• A standard or banner, as of a military unit. (noun)
• Archaic A standard-bearer. (noun)
• A commissioned rank in the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard that is below lieutenant junior grade. (noun)
• One who holds this rank. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "And then he glanced at the men, who were delighted with what they called the ensign's pluck."
• "June 17th, 2009 2: 52 pm ET by his own declared standard, ensign is supposed to resign the senate seat. a man who betrayed his wife, violated spiritual promise can not be trusted. do you remembe - he called for president clinton's resignation?"
• "To make you easy, know I have four thousand pounds in the funds; and that, from the equality of living here, an ensign is obliged to spend near as much as I am; he is inevitably ruined, but I save money."