capitain

Middle English

/kap(ə)ˈtɛi̯n(ə)/

noun
Definitions
  • The head of a military grouping or force; a general or marshal.
  • An officer; one who commands part of a military force or army.
  • (rare) The leader of a nation or a political division; a high-ranking politician.
  • (rare) One who leads military forces at sea.

Etymology

Borrowed from Old French capitaine (leader) derived from Latin capitāneus.

Origin

Latin

capitāneus

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms