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The principal part; the most valuable portion. The chief of the things which should be utterly destroyed.1. Sam. xv. 21

The presiding judge of the court of exchequer.

ocky Mountains; -- also called crying hare, calling hare, cony, American pika, and little chief hare.

The presiding justice, or principal judge, of a court. Lord Chief Justice of England, The presiding judge of the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice. The highest judicial officer of the realm is the Lord High Chancellor. -- Chief Justice of the United States, the presiding judge of the Supreme Court, a…

The office of chief justice. Jay selected the chief-justiceship as most in accordance with his tastes. The Century.

A tribute by the head; a capitation tax. [Written also chevage and chivage.] [Obs.]

First or foremost; chief; principal. [Archaic] "Our chiefest courtier." Shak. The chiefest among ten thousand. Canticles v. 10.

Without a chief or leader.

reëminently; above; especially. Search through this garden; leave unsearched no nook; But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge. Milton.

A small rent paid to the lord paramount. [Obs.] Swift.

A captain, leader, or commander; a chief; the head of a troop, army, or clan.

The rank, dignity, or office of a chieftain.

A covering for the head. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Bound with a kerchief; draped; hooded; covered. Milton. That soft, enkerchiefed hair. M. Arnold.

A piece of cloth shaped like a handkerchief to be worn about the neck; a neckerchief; a neckcloth.

l, worn for ornament on other parts of the person; -- mostly used in compounds; as, neckerchief; breastkerchief; and later, handkerchief. He might put on a hat, a muffler, and a kerchief, and so escape. Shak. Her black hair strained away To a scarlet kerchief caught beneath her chin. Mrs. Browning.

Dressed; hooded; covered; wearing a kerchief. Milton.

A kerchief. [Obs.] Chaucer.

hap; trivial evil caused by thoughtlessness, or in sport. Chaucer. Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs. Ps. lii. 2. The practice whereof shall, I hope, secure me from many mischiefs. Fuller.

One who makes mischief; one who excites or instigates quarrels or enmity.