Chief
Chief (chēn) , noun
[Old English chief, chef, Old French chief, French chef, from Latin caput head, possibly akin to English head. Compare Captain, Chapter]
1.
The head or leader of any body of men; a commander, as of an army; a head man, as of a tribe, clan, or family; a person in authority who directs the work of others; the principal actor or agent.
2.
The principal part; the most valuable portion.
The chief of the things which should be utterly destroyed.
3.
(Heraldry) The upper third part of the field. It is supposed to be composed of the dexter, sinister, and middle chiefs.
Collocations (1)
In chief (Eng. Law) , (a) At the head; as, a commander in chief. From the king, or sovereign; as, tenure in chief, tenure directly from the king.
Chief , adjective
1.
Highest in office or rank; principal; head.
Chief rulers.
2.
Principal or most eminent in any quality or action; most distinguished; having most influence; taking the lead; most important; as, the chief topic of conversation; the chief interest of man.
3.
Very intimate, near, or close. [Obsolete]
A whisperer separateth chief friends.