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chief definition

chief (c̸hēf)

noun

  1. the head or leader of a group, organization, etc.; person of highest title or authority
  2. Archaic the most valuable or main part of anything
  3. Heraldry the upper third of a shield
  4. Naut. a chief engineer or chief petty officer

Etymology: ME chef, chief, leader < OFr < VL *capum < L caput, head

adjective

  1. highest, as in rank or office; foremost the chief magistrate
  2. most important or significant; main; principal the chief advantages

adverb

Archaic chiefly

Related Forms:

chief Idioms

in chief

  1. in the chief position; of highest title or authority editor in chief
  2. Archaic chiefly

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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