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.
A signal displayed like a standard, to give notice. He will lift an ensign to the nations from far. Is. v. 26.
Sign; badge of office, rank, or power; symbol. The ensigns of our power about we bear. Waller.
Formerly, a commissioned officer of the army who carried the ensign or flag of a company or regiment.
A commissioned officer of the lowest grade in the navy, corresponding to the grade of second lieutenant in the army. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
To designate as by an ensign. [Obs.] Henry but joined the roses that ensigned Particular families. B. Jonson.
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.
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