n. [ Cf. F. commandeur. Cf. Commodore, Commender. ] 1. A chief; one who has supreme authority; a leader; the chief officer of an army, or of any division of it. [ 1913 Webster ]

A leader and commander to the people. Is. lv. 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Navy) An officer who ranks next below a captain, -- ranking with a lieutenant colonel in the army. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The chief officer of a commandery. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A heavy beetle or wooden mallet, used in paving, in sail lofts, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Commander in chief, the military title of the officer who has supreme command of the land or naval forces or the united forces of a nation or state; a generalissimo. The President is commander in chief of the army and navy of the United States.

Syn. -- See Chief. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office of a commander. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Commanderies [ F. commanderie. ] 1. The office or rank of a commander. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A district or a manor with lands and tenements appertaining thereto, under the control of a member of an order of knights who was called a commander; -- called also a preceptory. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. An assembly or lodge of Knights Templars (so called) among the Freemasons. [ U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A district under the administration of a military commander or governor. [ R. ] Brougham. [ 1913 Webster ]