English Explanatory Dictionary

chieftain

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A leader of a clan or tribe.
  2. A leader of a group.

Pronunciation

/ˈt͡ʃiːf.tən/ /ˈt͡ʃiːf.tɪn/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-chieftain.wav

Word forms

chieftain chieftains

Etymology

From Middle English cheveteyn, cheftayne, from Old French chevetaine, from Late Latin capitaneus (English captain), from Latin caput (“head”), from Proto-Indo-European *kauput- (English head), itself from Proto-Indo-European *kap-. Doublet of captain; related to chief.

Synonyms

chief big gun big shot big wheel bigwig boss employer foreman head leader mandarin manager mover and shaker top banana top dog tycoon

Derived words

chieftaincy chieftaindom chieftainess chieftess chieftainly chieftainry chieftainship subchieftain underchieftain
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