CHIEFTAIN

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does chieftain mean? 

• CHIEFTAIN (noun)
  The noun CHIEFTAIN has 2 senses:

1. the leader of a group of people

2. the head of a tribe or clan

  Familiarity information: CHIEFTAIN used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CHIEFTAIN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The leader of a group of people

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

captain; chieftain

Context example:

a captain of industry

Hypernyms ("chieftain" is a kind of...):

leader (a person who rules or guides or inspires others)

Derivation:

chieftainship (the position of chieftain)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The head of a tribe or clan

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

chief; chieftain; headman; tribal chief

Hypernyms ("chieftain" is a kind of...):

leader (a person who rules or guides or inspires others)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "chieftain"):

Indian chief; Indian chieftain (the leader of a group of Native Americans)

pendragon (the supreme war chief of the ancient Britons)

Instance hyponyms:

Glendower; Owen Glendower (Welsh chieftain who led a revolt against Henry IV's rule in Wales (1359-1416))

Hrolf; Rolf; Rollo (Norse chieftain who became the first duke of Normandy (860-931))

Derivation:

chieftainship (the position of chieftain)

 Context examples 

“'Tis a strange end for one who has seen so many stricken fields,” said the French chieftain.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I little thought to find him among the bravest of my own chosen chieftains.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)