Ensign

[en-sahyn; Military en-suh n] /ˈɛn saɪn; Military ˈɛn sən/

noun
1.
a flag or banner, as a military or naval standard used to indicate nationality.
2.
a badge of office or authority, as heraldic arms.
3.
a sign, token, or emblem:
the dove, an ensign of peace.
4.
U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. the lowest commissioned officer, ranking next below a lieutenant, junior grade, and equal to a second lieutenant in the Army.
5.
Archaic. (def 1).
/ˈɛnsaɪn/
noun
1.
(also) (ˈɛnsən). a flag flown by a ship, branch of the armed forces, etc, to indicate nationality, allegiance, etc See also Red Ensign, White Ensign
2.
any flag, standard, or banner
3.
a standard-bearer
4.
a symbol, token, or emblem; sign
5.
(in the US Navy) a commissioned officer of the lowest rank
6.
(in the British infantry) a colours bearer
7.
(formerly in the British infantry) a commissioned officer of the lowest rank
n.

late 14c., via Scottish, from Old French enseigne (12c.) “mark, symbol, signal; flag, standard, pennant,” from Latin insignia (plural); see insignia. Sense of “banner, flag” is c.1400; that of soldier who carries one is first recorded 1510s. U.S. Navy sense of “commissioned officer of the lowest rank” is from 1862. French navy had rank of enseigne de vaisseau since at least early 18c.

(1.) Heb. ‘oth, a military standard, especially of a single tribe (Num. 2:2). Each separate tribe had its own “sign” or “ensign.” (2.) Heb. nes, a lofty signal, as a column or high pole (Num. 21:8, 9); a standard or signal or flag placed on high mountains to point out to the people a place of rendezvous on the irruption of an enemy (Isa. 5:26; 11:12; 18:3; 62:10; Jer. 4:6, 21; Ps. 60:4). This was an occasional signal, and not a military standard. Elevation and conspicuity are implied in the word. (3.) The Hebrew word _degel_ denotes the standard given to each of the four divisions of the host of the Israelites at the Exodus (Num. 1:52; 2:2; 10:14). In Cant. 2:4 it is rendered “banner.” We have no definite information as to the nature of these military standards. (See BANNER.)