chief English · revision 3443

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1297|origins=la caput}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /tʃiːf/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|chef]], [[m|enm|chief]], [[bor|fro|chief]], [[m|fro|chef|t=head, leader, ruler; capital city]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) from [[la-vul|*capum]], the source also of Spanish [[m|es|cabo]] and Italian [[m|it|capo]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Klein 1966) from [[la|caput|t=head]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) from [[ine-pro|*kauput-|alt=*kaput-|t=head]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) It is a doublet of [[chef]].^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The head of a body of people or an organization: 1297,^(OED 1989)^(HTOED) or about 1300.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The adjective, “highest in rank”, is also from 1297.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The literal sense “head” is from about 1330 and the top of anything from about 1400, both obsolete.^(OED 1989) In heraldry the upper part of the shield is the ''chief'', from before 1440,^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986) and in feudal law ''in chief'' meant held directly from the lord.^(Hoad 1986) The head of a clan is from the 1570s,^(Etymonline) or 1587,^(OED 1989) and later of Native American peoples by 1713.^(Etymonline) ''Commander-in-chief'' is from the 1660s.^(Etymonline) A superior officer, one's boss, is from 1606.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1297 – a leader; adjective, highest in rank.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1330 – the head (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1440 – in heraldry.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1587 – the head of a clan.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1606 – a superior officer.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1660s – ''commander-in-chief''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person highest in rank or authority; a [[leader]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # The head of a clan or tribe.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(informal)'' A boss.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(heraldry)'' The upper part of a shield.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Highest in rank or authority.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Most important; principal.^(AHD)^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[chiefdom]]

+ * [[chiefship]]

+ * [[chiefless]]

+ * [[subchief]]

+ * [[underchief]]

+ * [[chief of staff]]

+ * [[chief of state]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[captain]]

+ * [[chef]]

+ * [[chieftain]]

+ * [[achieve]]

+ * [[mischief]]

+ * [[capital]]

+ * [[cape]]

+ * [[handkerchief]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage Dictionary compares ''chief'' with ''principal'', ''main'', ''leading'', ''foremost'' and ''primary''.^(AHD) In Scots ''chief'' could mean “intimate, friendly”.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}