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.
☞ 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.