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ensign

ensign en"sign ([e^]n"s[i^]n also [e^]n"s[imac]n, except for 4a), 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. [1913 Webster]

Hang up your ensigns, let your drums be still. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. A signal displayed like a standard, to give notice. [1913 Webster]

He will lift an ensign to the nations from far. --Is. v. 26. [1913 Webster]

3. Sign; badge of office, rank, or power; symbol. [1913 Webster]

The ensigns of our power about we bear. --Waller. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Note: 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. [1913 Webster]

{Ensign bearer}, one who carries a flag; an ensign. [1913 Webster]

Ensign En"sign, v. t. 1. To designate as by an ensign. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Henry but joined the roses that ensigned Particular families. --B. Jonson. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

to deutch

ensign [ensain] Fahne, Flagge
fahne.idoneos.com
flagge.idoneos.com

Bible Dictionary

Ensign
(nes ; in the authorized version generally "ensign," sometimes"standard;" degel, "standard," with the exception of (song ofsolomon 2:4) "banner;" oth, "ensign"). This distinction betweenthese three Hebrew terms is sufficiently marked by theirrespective uses. Nes is a signal, and not a military standard.It is an occasional signal, which was exhibited on the top of apole from a bare mountain-top, (isaiah 13:2; 18:3) degel amilitary standard for a large division of an army; and oth thesame for a small one. Neither of them, however, expresses theidea which "standard" conveys to our minds, viz. a flag. Thestandards in use among the Hebrews probably resembled those ofthe Egyptians and Assyrians--a figure or device of some kindelevated on a pole; usually a sacred emblem, such as an animal,a boat, or the king s name.