ensi

a. [ L. ensis sword + -form: cf. F. ensiforme. ] Having the form of a sword blade; sword-shaped; as, an ensiform leaf. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ensiform cartilage, and
Ensiform process. (Anat.) See Xiphisternum. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To designate as by an ensign. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Henry but joined the roses that ensigned
Particular families. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To distinguish by a mark or ornament; esp. (Her.), by a crown; thus, any charge which has a crown immediately above or upon it, is said to be ensigned. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. enseigne, L. insignia, pl. of insigne a distinctive mark, badge, flag; in + signum mark, sign. See Sign, and cf. Insignia, 3d Ancient. ] 1. A flag; a banner; a standard; esp., the national flag, or a banner indicating nationality, carried by a ship or a body of soldiers; -- as distinguished from flags indicating divisions of the army, rank of naval officers, or private signals, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hang up your ensigns, let your drums be still. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A signal displayed like a standard, to give notice. [ 1913 Webster ]

He will lift an ensign to the nations from far. Is. v. 26. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Sign; badge of office, rank, or power; symbol. [ 1913 Webster ]

The ensigns of our power about we bear. Waller. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (a) Formerly, a commissioned officer of the army who carried the ensign or flag of a company or regiment. (b) A commissioned officer of the lowest grade in the navy, corresponding to the grade of second lieutenant in the army. Ham. Nav. Encyc. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In the British army the rank of ensign was abolished in 1871. In the United States army the rank is not recognized; the regimental flags being carried by a sergeant called the color sergeant. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ensign bearer, one who carries a flag; an ensign. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Ensigncies The rank or office of an ensign. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or rank of an ensign. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F.; pref. en- (L. in) + silo. See Silo. ] 1. The process of preserving fodder (such as cornstalks, rye, oats, millet, etc.) by compressing it while green and fresh in a pit or vat called a silo, where it is kept covered from the air; as, the ensilage of fodder. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The fodder preserved in a silo. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Ensilaged p. pr. & vb. n. Ensilaging ] To preserve in a silo; as, to ensilage cornstalks. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Ensiled p. pr. & vb. n. Ensiling ] [ F. ensiler: cf. Sp. ensilar. See Silo. ] To store (green fodder) in a silo; to prepare as silage. -- En"si*list n. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]