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en·sign

(ĕnsən, -sīn′)

1. A national flag displayed on ships and aircraft, often with the special insignia of a branch or unit of the armed forces.

2. A standard or banner, as of a military unit.

3. (ĕnsən)

a. A commissioned rank in the US Navy or Coast Guard that is below lieutenant junior grade.

b. One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.

4. A badge, emblem, or token of power or authority.

[Middle English ensigne, from Old French enseigne, from Latin īnsignia, insignia; see INSIGNIA.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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