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.
En"sign (?), n. [L. enseigne, L. insignia, pl. of
insigne a distinctive mark, badge, flag; in + signum mark, sign. See Sign, and cf. Insignia, 3d Ancient.]
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. Ham. Nav.
Encyc.
&fist; 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.
Hear it pronounced