Antonyms for chieftain


Grammar : Noun
Spell : cheef-tuh n, -tin
Phonetic Transcription : ˈtʃif tən, -tɪn


Definition of chieftain

Origin :
  • early 14c., cheftayne "ruler, chief, head" of something, from Anglo-French chiefteyn, Old French chevetain "captain, chief, leader," from Late Latin capitaneus "commander," from Latin capitis, genitive of caput "head" (see capitulum). According to "Rob Roy" (1818) a Highland chieftain was the head of a branch of a clan, a chief was the head of the whole name. Related: Chieftainship.
  • noun chief
Example sentences :
  • He was the chieftain of a clan that spread over Down and Antrim.
  • Extract from : « The Foolish Lovers » by St. John G. Ervine
  • The next moment the chieftain entered and glared fiercely at Siegmund.
  • Extract from : « Opera Stories from Wagner » by Florence Akin
  • For this are you ill, in order to punish your father, because our chieftain the axe is angry.
  • Extract from : « Aino Folk-Tales » by Basil Hall Chamberlain
  • But there was something of the chieftain, something of the prophet, about him.
  • Extract from : « The Great Hunger » by Johan Bojer
  • He is described as a chieftain standing in a chariot drawn by two horses.
  • Extract from : « History of Religion » by Allan Menzies
  • But he did have an idea that if he could somehow get word to the old Id chieftain help could be had.
  • Extract from : « Cubs of the Wolf » by Raymond F. Jones
  • Had it not been for the chieftain, the black rat might have regained the run.
  • Extract from : « "Wee Tim'rous Beasties" » by Douglas English
  • Among rats the chieftain is, of necessity, pluperfect master of defence.
  • Extract from : « "Wee Tim'rous Beasties" » by Douglas English
  • When any affront was offered to a chieftain, the clan was instantly summoned.
  • Extract from : « Memoirs of the Jacobites of 1715 and 1745 » by Mrs. Thomson
  • A chieftain might be cruel to his enemies, but never to his friends.
  • Extract from : « Memoirs of the Jacobites of 1715 and 1745. » by Mrs. Thomson

Synonyms for chieftain

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019