ensign
    n 1: a person who holds a commissioned rank in the United States
         Navy or the United States Coast Guard; below lieutenant
         junior grade
    2: an emblem flown as a symbol of nationality [syn: national
       flag, ensign]
    3: colors flown by a ship to show its nationality

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.
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            Hang up your ensigns, let your drums be still.
                                                  --Shak.
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   2. A signal displayed like a standard, to give notice.
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            He will lift an ensign to the nations from far.
                                                  --Is. v. 26.
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   3. Sign; badge of office, rank, or power; symbol.
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            The ensigns of our power about we bear. --Waller.
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   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.
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   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.
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   Ensign bearer, one who carries a flag; an ensign.
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Ensign \En"sign\, v. t.
   1. To designate as by an ensign. [Obs.]
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            Henry but joined the roses that ensigned
            Particular families.                  --B. Jonson.
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   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.
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Ensign
   (1.) Heb. 'oth, a military standard, especially of a single
   tribe (Num. 2:2). Each separate tribe had its own "sign" or
   "ensign."
   
     (2.) Heb. nes, a lofty signal, as a column or high pole (Num.
   21:8, 9); a standard or signal or flag placed on high mountains
   to point out to the people a place of rendezvous on the
   irruption of an enemy (Isa. 5:26; 11:12; 18:3; 62:10; Jer. 4:6,
   21; Ps. 60:4). This was an occasional signal, and not a military
   standard. Elevation and conspicuity are implied in the word.
   
     (3.) The Hebrew word _degel_ denotes the standard given to
   each of the four divisions of the host of the Israelites at the
   Exodus (Num. 1:52; 2:2; 10:14). In Cant. 2:4 it is rendered
   "banner." We have no definite information as to the nature of
   these military standards. (See BANNER.)
   

Ensign, KS -- U.S. city in Kansas
   Population (2000):    203
   Housing Units (2000): 77
   Land area (2000):     0.279189 sq. miles (0.723096 sq. km)
   Water area (2000):    0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km)
   Total area (2000):    0.279189 sq. miles (0.723096 sq. km)
   FIPS code:            21400
   Located within:       Kansas (KS), FIPS 20
   Location:             37.652608 N, 100.232657 W
   ZIP Codes (1990):     67841
   Note: some ZIP codes may be omitted esp. for suburbs.
   Headwords:
    Ensign, KS
    Ensign