En"sign (?), 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.
Hang up your ensigns, let your drums be
still.
Shak.
2. A signal displayed like a standard, to
give notice.
He will lift an ensign to the nations from
far.
Is. v. 26.
3. Sign; badge of office, rank, or power;
symbol.
The ensigns of our power about we
bear.
Waller.
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.
&fist; 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.
Ensign bearer, one who carries a flag; an
ensign.
En"sign, v. t. 1.
To designate as by an ensign. [Obs.]
Henry but joined the roses that ensigned
Particular families.
B. Jonson.
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.
