n. [ OE. cheftayn, chevetayn, OF. chevetain, F. capitaine, LL. capitanus, fr. L. caput head. Cf. Captain, and see chief. ] A captain, leader, or commander; a chief; the head of a troop, army, or clan.
Syn. -- Chief; commander; leader; head. See Chief. [ 1913 Webster ]
{ } n. The rank, dignity, or office of a chieftain. [ 1913 Webster ]