Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for CHIEF'TAIN
CHIEF'RIECHIEF'TAIN-RY, or CHIEF'TAIN-SHIP
CHIEF'TAIN, n. [from chief, Norm. cheventeins, formed like captain, capitaine.]
A captain, leader, or commander; a chief; the head of a troop, army, or clan. It is most commonly used in the latter sense. The chieftains of the Highland clans in Scotland, were the principal noblemen and gentlemen. – Encyc.
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