Where does “ship of the line ensign first class” come from?
ship of the line ensign first class (English) comes from English ensign, from Middle English ensigne, from Old French enseigne, from Latin īnsignia.
ship of the line ensign first class (English): Intermediate junior officer rank used in the navies of some Francophone countries, usually equal in rank to the British rank of sub-lieutenant or the American rank of lieutenant junior grade
Definitions
- Intermediate junior officer rank used in the navies of some Francophone countries, usually equal in rank to the British rank of sub-lieutenant or the American rank of lieutenant junior grade
Ancestry of “ship of the line ensign first class”, step by step
ship of the line ensign first class traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.
via English ensign
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | ensign | A badge of office, rank, or power; The lowest... |
| 2 | Middle English | ensigne | — |
| 3 | Old French | enseigne | — |
| 4 | Latin | īnsignia | — |
via English first class
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | first class | Belonging to the best or top group in a system of... |
via English ship of the line
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | ship of the line | A large square-rigged warship large enough to have a place in the line of battle, with up to 140 guns on at least two decks. A capital ship from the age of sail, superior to a frigate; usually, a seventy-four, or three-decker |