chiefn.
/tʃiːf/, U.S. /tʃif/ I. Proper and transferred material senses.† 1. literal. The head (of the body). Obsolete. rare.The first quot. is doubtful.† 2. The head, top, upper end (of anything). Obsolete.† 4. A head of discourse, a heading. Obsolete. rare.† 5. An end (of a bandage). Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > [noun]
nolleOE
headOE
topa1225
copc1264
scalpa1300
chiefc1330
crownc1330
jowla1400
poll?a1400
testea1400
ball in the hoodc1400
palleta1425
noddle?1507
costard?1515
nab?1536
neck1560
coxcomb1567
sconce1567
now1568
headpiece1579
mazer1581
mazardc1595
cockcomb1602
costrel1604
cranion1611
pasha1616
noddle pate1622
block1635
cranium1647
sallet1652
poundrel1664
nob1699
crany?1730
knowledge box1755
noodle1762
noggin1769
napper1785
garret1796
pimple1811
knowledge-casket1822
coco1828
cobbra1832
coconut1834
top-piece1838
nut1841
barnet1857
twopenny1859
chump1864
topknot1869
conk1870
masthead1884
filbert1886
bonce1889
crumpet1891
dome1891
roof1897
beanc1905
belfry1907
hat rack1907
melon1907
box1908
lemon1923
loaf1925
pound1933
sconec1945
nana1966
c1330 Arth. & Merl. 9513 The ferth he tok on the chiue, And carf him ato biliue.
?1533 G. Du Wes Introductorie for to lerne Frenche sig. Biii The heed or chyfe, le chief.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > end or extremity > [noun] > upper end
headeOE
chiefc1400
fining?1448
beginning1483
uppermost1628
top1783
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. xx. 217 At the chief of the Halle, is the Emperours throne.
c1420 Anturs of Arth. ix Opon the chefe of hur cholle, A padok prykette on a polle.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1663 In the cheffe of þe choise halle..Was a grounde vp graid with gresis of Marbill.
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Nov. Where bene the nosegayes that she dight for thee? The coloured chaplets wrought with a chiefe.
3. Heraldry. The head or principal part of the escutcheon, occupying the upper third of the shield, and divided from the rest by a line which may be straight, indented, embattled, wavy, etc. on a chief, †in (the) chief: borne on this ordinary. in chief: borne on or occupying the upper part of the shield, within the limits of this ordinary, though no chief is marked off.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > escutcheon or shield > [noun] > upmost third portion
chiefa1440
chieftain1572
chevetaine1586
a1440 Sir Degrev. 1029 He beres in cheef of azour Engrelyd with a satur With doubule tressour And treweloves bytwene.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. xvii. 19 The lorde William Duglas..bare azure a cheffe syluer.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. lx His baner..was goules, a sheffe syluer, thre cheuorns in the sheffe.
1572 J. Bossewell Wks. Armorie ii. f. 30v There maye be also borne in chiefe, diuerse tokens of armes, and yet the chief not altered in colour from the field.
1622 H. Peacham Compl. Gentleman iii. 143.
1808 W. Scott Marmion vi. ii. 317 And in the chief three mullets stood The cognizance of Douglas blood.
1863 C. Boutell Man. Heraldry xv. 155 The Helm always rests upon the chief of the Shield.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > written text > layout > [noun] > heading
superscriptiona1382
head1560
chief1605
supertitle1818
heading1849
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. ii. i. 327 A Generall Muster of the Bodies Griefes: The Soules Diseases, vnder sundry Chiefes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical appliances or equipment > bandage > [noun] > end of bandage
chief?1541
?1541 R. Copland Guy de Chauliac's Questyonary Cyrurgyens iii. sig. Lij This is done with rolles of one chyef or dyuers chyefs, or armes, begynnynge vpon the hurt place.
II. Transferred and figurative senses.† 8. The head town or city; the capital n.2 2a. Obsolete.† 9. The best part; the height, the prime. Obsolete or archaic. (Cf. chief adj. 7.)† 10. Chief position, first place, eminence, excellency.The meaning of the Shakespeare passage is disputed.
6.
a. The head of a body of men, of an organization, state, town, party, office, etc.; foremost authority, leader, ruler.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > [noun] > those in authority > person in authority > head or chief
headeOE
headmanOE
headsmanOE
masterlinga1200
dukec1275
chevetaine1297
chief1297
headlingc1300
principalc1325
captainc1380
primatec1384
chieftainc1400
master-man1424
principate1483
grand captain1531
headmaster?1545
knap of the casec1555
capitano1594
muqaddam1598
mudaliyar1662
reis1677
sachem1684
doge1705
prytanis1790
gam1827
main guy1882
oga1917
ras1935
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun] > one who is important > one who has leading position or is most important
firstc1275
coba1420
principalsa1425
cock1542
chief1569
colossus1605
primore1625
cape1650
sachem1684
leading light1707
high priest1737
king bee1792
gentleman, man of lead1793
queen bee1823
primo basso1826
spokesman1828
protagonist1837
kingpin1861
key man1895
headliner1896
big boy1921
numero uno1944
godfather1963
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 212 Þo þe Romeyns were wyþ out chef, dyscomfortd hii were.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 57 Wan any auerous or couetous is canonizid..or maad cheef.
1483 W. Caxton in tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 399 She was made abbesse and chyef of al the monasterye.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Luke xi. f. xciiijv By the power of Belzebub, the chefe of the devyls.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3662 To chese hom a cheftayn to be chefe of þem all.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 288 The king sayde to Syr Gualtier Manny, I will that ye be chiefe of this enterprise.
1611 Bible (King James) Num. iii. 30 The chiefe of the house of the..Kohathites shalbe Elizaphan. View more context for this quotation
1667 S. Pepys Diary 20 Feb. (1974) VIII. 73 A Frenchman come to be chief of some part of the King's music.
1791 E. Burke Corr. (1844) III. 202 The chief of every monarchical party must be the monarch himself.
1841–4 R. W. Emerson Nominalist & Realist in Wks. (1906) I. 253 Hence the immense benefit of party in politics, as it reveals faults of character in a chief.
1849 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis (1850) I. xxiv. 230 The chief of the kitchen, Monsieur Mirobolant.
b. spec. The head man or ruler of a clan, tribe, or small primitive community. big or great white chief: a jocular name (modelled on the speech of American Indians) given to a person of authority or importance. Cf. Great White Father n. (b) at great adj., n., adv., and int. Compounds 1e.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > rule or government > rule or government of family or tribe > head of family, tribe, or clan > [noun]
alderOE
patriarchc1200
prince?c1225
chief1587
top1615
chieftain1837
the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [noun] > a great part or proportion > the greater part, the majority
the more partOE
the best part ofOE
(the) more parta1350
(the) most parta1350
(the) most part alla1350
(the) most party1372
for (also be, in) the most part (also deal, party)a1387
the better part ofa1393
the mo?a1400
most forcea1400
substancea1413
corsec1420
generalty?c1430
the greater partc1430
three quartersc1470
generalityc1485
the most feck1488
corpse1533
most1553
nine-tenths?1556
better half1566
generality?1570
pluralityc1570
body1574
the great body (of)1588
flush1592
three fourths1600
best1601
heap1609
gross1625
lump1709
bulk1711
majority1714
nineteen in twenty1730
balance1747
sweighta1800
heft1816
chief1841
the force1842
thick end1847
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun] > one who is important
persona1425
personagec1460
colossus1605
satrapon1650
bigwig1772
big man1789
butt-cut1806
tallboy1820
buzz-wig1854
great or high shot1861
celestial1874
pot1880
big stuff1883
importance1886
big wheel1893
mandarin1907
the (also a) big noise1909
hotty1910
big boy1918
biggie1926
hotshot1933
wheel1933
eminence1935
top hat1936
big or great white chief1937
Mr Big1940
big kahuna1966
1587 Sc. Acts (1597) §94 Clannes..dependis vpon the directiones of the saidis Captaines, chiefes, and chieftaines.
1695 C. Leslie Gallienus Redivivus 9 He gives these Directions to Collonel Hill. Till we see what is done by the Chiefs, it is not time to Receive their Tenants.
1713 A. Pope Windsor-Forest 17 While naked Youth and painted Chiefs admire Our speech, our Colour, and our strange Attire.
1809 T. Campbell Gertrude of Wyoming (ad fin.) The death-song of an Indian chief!
1814 W. Scott Waverley I. xxii. 343 Proud chiefs of Clan Ranald, Glengary, and Sleat! View more context for this quotation
1835 W. G. Simms Yemassee I. 95 Does the white chief come to the great council of the Yemassee as a fur trader?]
1841 T. B. Macaulay Warren Hastings in Edinb. Rev. Oct. 179 Their chiefs, when united by a common peril, could bring eighty thousand men into the field.
1937 M. Allingham Dancers in Mourning xxvi. 315 I see a chap who is a sort of great white chief in his own little world.
1939 P. G. Wodehouse Uncle Fred in Springtime iii. 43 ‘Was that Aunt Jane I saw going off in the car?’ ‘That was the Big White Chief.’
1949 E. Coxhead Wind in West ii. 37 You've actually seen the Great White Chief. Jove, what an experience.
c. A chief or superior officer: the head of any department; one's superior in office.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > holder of office > [noun] > chief or superior
chiefa1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iv. xv. 93 Farewell great Chiefe. Shall I strike now? View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 566 Warriers..Awaiting what command thir mighty Chief Had to impose. View more context for this quotation
1733 A. Pope 1st Satire 2nd Bk. Horace Imitated 17 Chiefs, out of War, and Statesmen, out of Place.
1796 Instr. & Regulations Cavalry 134 The chief of the squadron..gives the general caution..and the leaders of divisions give their words of execution.
1853 G. J. Whyte-Melville Digby Grand xix Our old chief..has been appointed to a command in India.
1888 M. Morris Claverhouse iv. 67 In the report Lord Evandale makes to his chief.
d. The Chief Engineer, or Lieutenant-Commander, in a (war)ship (see also quot. 1929). Nautical colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > one who travels by water or sea > sailor > [noun] > mate
mate1488
first mate1683
first officer1758
chief1896
mister1897
maat1919
society > armed hostility > hostilities at sea > seafaring warrior or naval man > leader or commander > officer with specific duty > [noun] > chief engineer
chief1896
1896 R. Kipling Seven Seas 153 M'Andrews, he's Chief of the Maori Line.
1916 ‘Taffrail’ Stand By! 18 Next comes the engineer-lieutenant-commander, or the ‘chief’, as we call him.
1929 F. C. Bowen Sea Slang 26 Chief, the Chief Engineer as a rule, though loosely applied, more and more frequently to mates in the Merchant Service and petty officers and others in the Navy.
1942 G. Hackforth-Jones One-One-One xi. 104 ‘Chief,’ he called down the voice-pipe to the engine-room, ‘Knock her up to full speed or I'll come down and stoke myself.’
1946 G. Hackforth-Jones Sixteen Bells xiii. 230 It was the custom of her Chief, an Engineer Commander of many years' standing, to enjoy an afternoon's caulk.
7. Of things personified.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun] > that which is important > most important
moreOE
firstc1275
principala1393
chiefa1400
main chance1577
forefront1589
principal verb1602
centre of gravity1718
avatar1859
main stem1900
Big Apple1909
prima ballerina1923
centrepiece1937
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 29281 Hali kirke o rome..þat crist..has in erth leued O cristen-dome for cheif and heued.
c1426 J. Audelay Poems (1931) 8 Þou most haue fayþ, hope, and charyte,..Þen charyte he is chif.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost v. 102 Many lesser Faculties that serve Reason as chief . View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > district in relation to human occupation > town as opposed to country > town or city > [noun] > chief town or capital city
headeOE
mother-boroughc1225
master-borougha1325
sedea1387
chief1393
master-townc1400
metropolitan?a1439
capital city1439
master citya1450
stade1481
metropolea1500
capital1525
seatc1540
head-place1546
chamber1555
mother city1570
metropolis1584
metropolite1591
madam-town1593
capital town1601
seat-town1601
metropolie1633
megapolis1638
county seat1803
Queen City1807
metrop1888
Metroland1951
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 164 Whan Rome was the worldes chefe.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 22097 Þis tun was quilum chefe [Gött. chef, Trin. Cambr. cheef, Fairf. chief] o pers.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. v. 35 Surrye of the whiche the cytee of Damasc was chief.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [noun] > best part
yolk1340
chief1509
heart1584
prime1625
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xx. xiv. 97 The chefe is gone of all thy melody, Whose beauty clere made moost swete armony.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms civ. [cv.] 35 He smote all ye first borne in their londe, euen the chefe of all their substance.
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Ciiv Euen in the chiefe of hys youth he was taken from schole into the Courte.
1572 J. Jones Bathes of Bathes Ayde ii. f. 12 The cheefe of Sommer.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 346 By some corruption of the aire, whereunto Rome in the chiefe of Summer is much subiect.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > surpassing excellence > [noun]
pricea1275
sovereigntyc1340
primacyc1384
sublimityc1429
vassalagec1430
precellence?a1439
pre-excellencec1450
pre-eminencec1460
superexcellencec1475
chief1519
pre-eminency1523
greaterness1540
precellency1557
superexcellency?1563
divinenessa1586
superancya1586
sublimenessa1599
pre-excellency1603
especialness1614
transcendencea1616
transcendency1615
transcendentness1625
top1627
antecellency1657
quality1665
transcendingness1730
transcendentalism1841
surpassingness1879
transcendentality1881
1519 W. Horman Vulgaria xxxii. f. 281 He wanne the chieffe at euery game..victor palmam abstulit.
1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. iii. 74 And they of France of the chiefe rancke and station Are of a most select and generall chiefe in that.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. iii. 74 And they in Fraunce of the best ranck and station, Or of a most select and generous, chiefe in that. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Hamlet (1623) i. iii. 74 Are of a most select and generous cheff in that.
11. Short for chief-rent n. at Compounds.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > hire or rent > rent (land or real property) > [noun] > other rents
tunc1311
Martin rentc1325
land-male1390
fee-farm1399
chief-rent1523
chief1601
guild-rent1670
quit-rent1796
tack-duty1809
fore-rent1813
sub-rent1820
retainer1970
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 518 The lead mine named Antimonianum..which paid in old time but a chiefe of ten pound weight.
1625 F. Markham Bk. Honour Ep. Ded. sig. Bv But to the immortall and only true God of Heauen and earth, you pay no Chiefes or Acknowledgements.
1795 J. Aikin Descr. Country round Manch. 258 A 999 year lease, at the small chief of a shilling per ann.
1868 J. E. T. Rogers Man. Polit. Econ. xiv. 200 An all but universal custom in Lancashire of letting building-sites on what is called chief, that is at a perpetual ground-rent.
12. Phrase. in chief.
a. Feudal Law [ < medieval Latin in capite, French en chief] . Applied to a tenant holding, or tenure held, immediately from the Lord Paramount, as when a tenant held directly from the king, rendering to him personally the service belonging to the tenure. Hence, by extension, applied to tenancy by a perpetual feu-duty or ground rent, as opposed to a lease for a limited period.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > [phrase] > in direct or perpetual tenancy
in chief1297
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 9691 No man, that of the kinge hulde ouȝt In chef, other in eni seruise.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 154 Gyff yow will hald in cheyff off me For euermar, and yine ofspryng, I sall do swa yow sall be king.
1495 Act 11 Hen. VII c. 48 §1 The same Castelles..be holden of your Highnes in Chief as of youre Crowne.
1542–3 Act 34 & 35 Hen. VIII c. 5 §5 Manours..holden of the kinge by knightes seruice in chiefe.
1607 J. Davies Let. in Hist. Tracts (1787) 236 He hath yet allotted to him..in demesne, and in chief, ten ballibetaghs or thereabouts.
1692 J. Dryden Cleomenes Ep. Ded. sig. A3v Proud to hold my Dependence on you in Chief, as I do part of my small Fortune in Wiltshire.
b. In the chief or highest place or position. Often in titles, as Commander-in-Chief, Colonel-in-Chief, etc.
ΚΠ
1612 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 44 Thinke it more honor, to direct in chiefe, then to be busie in al.
1618 G. Chapman tr. Hesiod Georgicks i. 542 Call thy friend In chief one near.
1653 H. Holcroft tr. Procopius Persian Wars i. 17 in tr. Procopius Hist. Warres Justinian Sittas..commanded the Armenian Army in cheif.
a1680 S. Butler Elephant in Moon 27 When one, who for his deep belief Was Virtuoso then in chief.
a1686 J. Gordon Hist. Scots Affairs (1841) II. iv. xxxix. 256 They coulde not agree who should be commander in cheefe.
1866 M. Oliphant Madonna Mary II. xv. 280 Nelly Askell whom Will had appropriated..as his sympathizer-in-chief.
1885 Whitaker's Almanack 152 Department of the Officer Commanding-in-Chief..Commanding-in-Chief, Field-Marshal H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge, K.G.
1885 Whitaker's Almanack 156 1st Life Guards..Colonel-in-Chief, H.R.H. Prince of Wales.
c. Chiefly; mainly, principally.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > in general [phrase] > for the most part
for the more party1372
for (also be, in) the most part (also deal, party)a1387
for the more partc1405
for (the) most partc1405
much dealc1425
in substancea1450
for the mostc1531
in (also for) the generality1580
for the general1581
in (also for, on, upon) the maina1591
largely1594
principally1600
in chiefa1616
mainly1640
nine times (parts, etc.) out of (also in, of) ten1648
greatly1742
as a rule1828
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) v. i. 218 Some speech of marriage..which was broke off..in chiefe For that her reputation was dis-valued In leuitie. View more context for this quotation
1855 R. Browning Old Pictures in Florence 'Twixt the aloes I used to lean in chief.
Compounds
attributive and in other combinations:† chief money n. Obsolete = capital.† chief-pledge n. Obsolete a borrow-head, head-borough.
chief hare n. U.S., the cony or calling hare of western North America.
ΚΠ
1875 Amer. Naturalist 9 150 A day's march..from the rocky haunts of the little chief hare (Lagomys princeps).
chief-rent n. a rent paid under a tenure in chief; now = quit-rent.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > hire or rent > rent (land or real property) > [noun] > other rents
tunc1311
Martin rentc1325
land-male1390
fee-farm1399
chief-rent1523
chief1601
guild-rent1670
quit-rent1796
tack-duty1809
fore-rent1813
sub-rent1820
retainer1970
1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Surueyeng x. f. 11 The lorde may haue a fre holder that holdeth his lande of hym, & payeth hym chefe rentes and other seruyce.
1617 J. Moore Mappe Mans Mortal. iii. v. 209 Forgetting his homage to God, and chiefe-rent of obedience.
1767 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. (new ed.) II. 42 Those of the freeholders are frequently called chief rents..and both sorts are denominated quit rents..because thereby the tenant goes quit and free of all other services.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > financial dealings > types of money-dealing > [noun] > provision of capital > capital or principal
cattlec1330
chief moneyc1390
principal1390
chattel1502
stock1526
capital1569
capital stock1569
nest-egg1801
corpus1844
c1390 SVrn.Leg. 738 Ȝif i take þe þe chef moneye [L. capitale] Wiþ to pleye.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > holder of office > parish official > [noun] > tithingman or headborough
tithingmanlOE
frithborh-headc1200
headborough1375
thirdborough?c1475
frank-pledgec1503
borsholder1536
borrow-head1581
decurion1591
decener1607
chief-pledge1630
dean1647
1292 Britton i. xxx. §4 Si touz les chefs pleges soint venuz a la veuwe; transl. whether all the headboroughs are come to the view.]
1630 M. Dalton Countrey Justice (rev. ed.) i. 3 There be other Officers of much like authority to our Constables: As the Borsholders in Kent, the Thirdborow in Warwickshire, and the Tythingman and Burrowhead or Headborow, or chiefe Pledge in other places.
chief-tenant n. a tenant in chief: cf. 12a. See also chief adj. 1.
Draft additions June 2006
colloquial. As an informal form of address to a man or boy.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > person > man > [noun] > as a form of address
lordOE
wye1340
gentleman1534
old fellow1567
gaff1573
godhood1586
gaffer1590
dad1605
daddy1681
hearty1735
cock-of-wax1790
governor1819
bub1839
smarty1847
doc1870
guy1876
Sunny Jim1903
big guy1910
chief1927
daddy-o1944
pops1944
tosh1954
Sonny Jim1960
ese1961
majita1963
G1990
mi'jito1990
the world > people > person > child > boy > [noun] > as term of address
pillicock1598
cock-of-wax1790
sonny1835
bub1839
bubby1841
fellow-my-lad?1860
chief1927
sonny boy1928
1927 Bulletin (Glasgow) 15 Apr. 12/1 ‘Well your little playmate certainly queered things,’ he said. Thorn shrugged. ‘I'm sorry, chief; but I couldn't help it. You saw how he horned in.’
1951 J. D. Salinger Catcher in Rye xiii. 119 How old are you, chief?
1973 Sunday Bull. (Philadelphia) 14 Oct. (Discover Suppl.) 13/3 Let the primer dry completely (check product directions). Now, chief, you are ready to paint.
2004 A. Reynolds Century Rain v. 45 ‘Thanks for the warning, chief,’ he said to the boy.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
chiefadj.adv.
/tʃiːf/, U.S. /tʃif/ A. adj.† 5. Pre-eminent in excellence; best, finest; choice. Obsolete.1889 N.E.D. at Chief Mod.Sc. You and he are rather chief.
1. † b. Of things: Highest in rank, capital, head-.
a. Of persons: That is formally the chief n. or head; standing at the head; taking the first place; = head chief n. Used in many official designations, etc., as Chief Baron, Chief Constable, Chief Engineer, Chief Rabbi, Chief Secretary, etc.: (see also Chief Justice n.).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > [adjective] > having chief authority
chiefc1330
dominant?1533
dominative1599
dominating1611
uppermost1691
dominatory1816
society > authority > office > holder of office > [adjective] > superior > chief
chiefc1330
senior1847
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 15 Sir Egbriht, our chefe kyng.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 3841 I schal..mak him my chef stiward to stiȝtli all my godes.
138. J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. I. 36 Siche cheefe lordis þat han not above hem anoþir cheef lord.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 4434 Þe maister chefe iailer [Vesp. maister jailere].
1473 J. Warkworth Chron. 26 Bodrygan scheff reulere of Cornwayle.
c1525 Elegy Henry VIII's Fool in J. O. Halliwell Nugæ Poeticæ (1844) 45 Ye as chefe moerner yn your own folys hode.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 204 Chefe baron of the Eschequer, chefe capitayne, etc.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 172 That the king of Englande ought of right to be their chiefe head and souereigne.
1685 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) I. 361 Paul Ricaut, esq., chief secretary to his excellency the lord lieutenant of Ireland.
1758 J. Blake Plan Marine Syst. 21 The following officers shall be exempted..viz. the chief-mate, the boatswain, and carpenter.
1841 T. Carlyle On Heroes vi. 388 Chief-consulship, Emperorship, victory over Europe.
1861 in G. B. McClellan Own Story (1886) v. 83 I have on the staff..Barnard as chief-engineer.
1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Let. 2 Sept. in J. W. Cross George Eliot's Life (1885) III. xviii. 256 A letter..from Dr. Hermann Adler, the Chief Rabbi here.
1890 W. James Princ. Psychol. II. xix. 101 The chief-engineer of the vessel had entered my state-room.
1932 C. Roth Hist. Marranos iii. 60 Simon Maimi, the last Ar-rabi-Mor, or Chief Rabbi of Portugal.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > pre-eminence > [adjective] > specifically of places
chief1297
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 4758 An chyrche he lete rere, In Est end of Kanterbury, þat þe chef chyrche were.
c1305 St. Kenelm in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 49 Of al his lond þe chief Cite.
138. J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 16 Aȝenst þe chifwerk of gostly mercy.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 10010 Þat are foure vertues principales Whiche men callen cardinales Alle oþere vertues of hem han holde þerfore þei are for cheef I tolde.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. iii. 31 Thre chefe chambers.
a1542 T. Wyatt Coll. Poems (1969) lxxviii. 3 Thou thy self doist cast thy bemes from hye From thy chieff howse.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 88 Vienna, which is the chiefe Citie of the Countrie.
1837 Penny Cycl. VIII. 157 Creuznach, the chief town, is situated on both banks of the Nahe.
c. chief magistratethe foremost magistrate, often spec. the head of state.
ΚΠ
1791 T. Jefferson in G. Washington Writings (1892) XII. 20 (note) It is fortunate that our first chief magistrate is purely and zealously republican.
1821 Ld. Byron Marino Faliero (2nd issue) i. ii. 9 Health and respect to the Doge Faliero, Chief magistrate of Venice.
2. †chief father n. first ancestor, first parent; = Middle English form-fader. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > ancestor > [noun] > first ancestor or patriarch
chief fatherc1400
father?a1425
primitive1486
stock-father1600
stem1604
primogenitor1643
patriarch1758
stem-father1879
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 684 Habraham..chosen to be chef chyldryn fader.
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) viii. iii. 92 Schir Dardanus..Our cheif fader.
3. At the head or top in importance; most important, influential, or active; principal, foremost, greatest:
a. of persons.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > pre-eminence > [adjective] > specifically of people
chief138.
principalc1385
capitalc1475
grand1539
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adjective] > most important > of things > belonging to the first rank (of people)
chief138.
138. J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 172 Of alle wicked men weiward prestis ben chiff whanne þei turne to cursednesse.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 71 Chefe or princypale, precipuus.
1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. ccxxxiii. 253 Syr bartram Cleykyn that was chefe maker and cause of the werre.
1633 S. Marmion Fine Compan. iii. iii The cheefe and only mouer of yovr loue.
1828 N. Hawthorne Fanshawe i. 8 A very dear friend..who, in his early manhood, had been his chief intimate.
1882 J. H. Blunt Reformation Church of Eng. II. 23 Archbishop Cranmer being his chief supporter.
b. of things.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > pre-eminence > [adjective]
firsteOE
headOE
highOE
greatc1350
upperestc1374
chief1377
singular1377
principala1382
royalc1425
cardinal1440
pre-eminenta1460
praisea1475
main1480
maina1525
primary1565
captain1566
arch1574
mistressa1586
capital1597
topless1609
primea1616
metropolitan1635
transeminent1660
whole1675
uppermost1680
primus inter pares1688
topping1694
Sudder1787
par excellence1839
banner1840
primatial1892
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adjective] > most important > of things > other
sovereignc1340
chief1377
grandc1390
staple1615
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xix. 469 Holycherche chief help & chiftaigne of þe comune.
c1440 York Myst. xix. 23 And my cheffe helpe is he.
c1546 T. Langley tr. P. Vergile De Invent. iv. ix. 97 a To haue the chief stroke in all ceremonies.
1569 J. Rogers Glasse Godly Love 186 Children are their Parents cheefe joy.
1661 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mech. (1682) Pref. 5 It was not my cheif design.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 168 O Son, in whom my Soul hath chief delight. View more context for this quotation
1752 S. Johnson Rambler No. 203. ⁋12 Hope is the chief blessing of man.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 51 The man who took the chief part in settling the conditions.
1875 W. S. Jevons Money (1878) 133 The chief difficulty in adopting such a new metal.
4. More loosely: Belonging to the highest group or first rank; ‘of the first order’ (Johnson), prominent, leading. In this relative use, formerly often compared chiefer, chiefest; see A. 8.
a. of persons.
ΚΠ
c1440 York Myst. xxv. 94 I shall declare playnly his comyng To the chiffe of the Jewes.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 119 The king of Scottes did hang foure hundreth of the cheefe doers.
c1600 Wriothesley's Chron. Eng. (1875) I. 48 The cheiffe peeres of the realme following the Kinge.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xl. 252 Any Aristocracy of the chief Princes of the People.
a1796 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 278 He's rank'd amang the chief O' lang syne saunts.
1882 J. H. Shorthouse John Inglesant xxx All the chief among the Cardinals.
b. of things.
ΚΠ
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 11 For love drunke is the mischefe Above all other the moste chefe.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. clxii. 200 Alwayes in the chyefe of the batayle [au plus fort de la bataille].
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) iv. vii. 58 The first, of all your chiefe affaires. View more context for this quotation
1631–3 High Commission Cases (1886) 321 This goeth as a cheife story amongst them.
1722 J. Swift Last Speech Ebenezor Elliston in Wks. (1735) IV. 378 A short Account of the chief Crimes they have committed.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 552 A chief object of the expedition.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective] > choice or excellent
chisa700
ycorec900
trya1300
walea1325
richc1330
choice1340
tried1362
chief1519
select1590
selected1605
recherché1689
tid1727
pick1790
selectable1836
beauty1895
plum1923
shit-kicking1961
1519 W. Horman Vulgaria xxxii. f. 283 He hath the chieffe game: where so euer he goeth. Victor est omnium certaminum.
1611 Bible (King James) Amos vi. 6 Anoint themselues with the chiefe ointments. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) v. vii. 12 The cheefe perfections of that louely Dame. View more context for this quotation
1651 in T. Fuller Abel Redevivus 100 His chiefe Companion was ever some chiefe Booke.
1660 R. Sharrock Hist. Propagation & Improvem. Veg. 28 The light colours are they that are chief for choice.
6. Scottish. Intimate (as friends). Cf. the dialect great, thick. Apparently connected with the Biblical use in Proverbs xvi. 28 (1611) ‘A whisperer separateth chiefe friends’, where the Hebrew word means ‘familiars, intimates’.
ΚΠ
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 424 I am cheife a counsayle with one; I am moste aboute hym..he is cheife a counsayle with hym.
1879 Jamieson's Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. (new ed.) (at cited word) They're very chief wi' ane anither.
7. absol. or elliptically. See also chief n. 9.
a. plural. Chief people.
ΚΠ
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 131 Neither Maior, nor Alderman, nor other of the chiefe of the Citie.
1597 F. Bacon Of Coulers Good & Euill (Arb.) ii. 140 In the northern climate the wits of chief are greater.
1612 W. Shute tr. T. de Fougasses Gen. Hist. Venice ii. 4 Divers of the cheefe of Padua.
1707 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. 9 Aug. One of ye chief who formerly got him turn'd by a Fellowship.
b. The main part; the most; the bulk.
ΚΠ
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple III. x. 129 The disasters occasioned by this hurricane were very great, owing to its having taken place at night, when the chief of the inhabitants were in bed and asleep.
8. Compared as chiefer, chiefest.As the word was weakened in force from the meaning of ‘head’ or ‘supreme’ absolutely, to that of ‘leading’, comparison of relative position became possible; and thus a comparative chiefer occurs, and much more frequently a superlative chiefest, the latter very common in the 16th and 17th centuries, and still frequent in literary use.† a. comparative. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1553 tr. S. Gardiner De Vera Obediencia: Oration F viij That they might be taken for chief, yea, and chiefer than the chiefest.
1612 J. Brinsley Ludus Lit. xxv. 269 The Master may imploy his paines principally amongst the chiefer; as the Vsher doth amongst the lower.
b. superlative.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adjective] > most important > of people
mosta1300
principala1382
principal?a1425
capitalc1475
supreme1496
chief1535
leading1631
staple1642
big league1917
high-level1947
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Mark xii. 29 The chefest commaundement of all commaundementes is.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12418 He was chosyn..chevest of councell.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry ii. f. 71v The cheefest time of plantyng..is the ende of Sommer.
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. H8v We giue vnto God the cheefest stroke and the cheefest rule in all things.
1611 Bible (King James) Mark x. 44 Who~soeuer of you will bee the chiefest [ Wycl., Rhem. first, Tindale, etc. chefe] . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) ii. ii. 12 Within their chiefest Temple. View more context for this quotation
1689 R. Milward Selden's Table-talk 40 Patience is the chiefest fruit of Study.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xiv. 387 The Chinese are the chiefest Merchants.
1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. ii. iv. 112 About which they spend the chiefest of their time.
1708 Chamberlayne's Magnæ Britanniæ Notitia (1743) ii. iii. 279 There are six penny-post offices: the chiefest is in Threadneedle Street.
1812 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Cantos I & II i. xl. 28 The Grave shall bear the chiefest prize away.
1850 R. W. Emerson Montaigne in Representative Men iv. 158 Culture will instantly destroy that chiefest beauty of spontaneousness.
9. chief good, †chiefest good: used to translate Latin summum bonum.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > [noun] > highest good
goodeOE
highest goodeOE
sovereigna1340
summum bonum1563
supreme good1601
chief good1663
kalon1749
1663 A. Cowley Ess. in Verse & Prose (1669) 117 When Epicurus to the World had taught, That pleasure was the cheifest Good.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xi. 493 As thir chief good . View more context for this quotation
1668 R. Steele Husbandmans Calling (1672) v. 110 Loss of goods is not the loss of the chief Good.
1669 T. Gale Court of Gentiles: Pt. I i. i. 2 Desires after some one Chiefest Good.
1729 Bp. J. Butler Serm. xiv, in Wks. (1874) II. 193 Knowledge..cannot be the chief good of man.
1795 W. Roscoe Life Lorenzo de' Medici I. iii. 161 In what this chief good consists has not been universally agreed upon.
1806 A. Knox Remains I. 31 Reason..informed the heathen sages that there was a chief good of man.
1849 D. Thomas Crisis of Being (1850) iii. 50 Personal religion is the chief good of man.
1869 M. Arnold Culture & Anarchy (1882) 212 A good in itself, one of the chiefest of goods.
B. adv.
a. Chiefly, principally. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [adverb] > for or in the most part
mosteOE
almostOE
mostwhata1200
generally1340
chiefly138.
mostc1390
chiefa1556
mostly1563
substantially1638
prevalently1709
feckly1768
mostlings1808
a1556 N. Udall Ralph Roister Doister (?1566) iii. v. sig. E.ijv Sweete mistresse, where as I loue you..chiefe of all For your personage, beautie, demeanour and wit.
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 1 But chiefe through Iunoes long fostred deadlye reuengment.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 754 Not truly penitent, but chief to try Her husband. View more context for this quotation
1718 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad IV. xiv. 291 Me chief he sought.
1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc v. 407 But chief where in the town The six great avenues meet.
1840 R. Browning Sordello ii. (1868) 73 And chief, that earnest April morn Of Richard's Love-court, was it time.
b. So chiefest.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or extraordinary > [adverb]
hurec893
sunderlyeOE
highlyOE
namelya1200
sunderlepesa1200
sunderlepea1225
specialc1230
specially1340
specially1340
serelya1375
principallyc1390
especially?a1400
rathestc1400
singularlyc1430
selfly1503
singular1530
enspecial1534
inespecially1557
nearly1560
peculiarly1561
inespecial1569
especial1591
speciouslya1616
nominately1641
chief1645
perpendicularly1658
1645 J. Milton Il Penseroso in Poems 39 But first, and chiefest, with thee bring, Him that yon soars on golden wing.
1811 R. Heber in Christian Observer Oct. 631 But chiefest, in our empty breast, Eternal! bid thy Spirit rest.
Draft additions June 2018
chief data officer n. a person whose job is to manage and oversee the analysis of a company's data, now esp. its digital data.
ΚΠ
1927 Orlando (Florida) Morning Sentinel 29 Dec. 8/7 Mr. Patterson was formerly chief data officer at McCook Flying Field, Dayton, O., and he has had extensive experience with aircraft.
1973 State Consolidated Data Centers Computer Privacy & Security: Hearing before Calif. State Assembly Comm. on Efficiency & Cost Control II. 91 I directed him to the Chief Data Officer of the State of California as well as Mr. Thomas' committee for assistance until such time as he trains his people.
1996 Computerworld (Electronic ed.) 22 Apr. 37 Data warehousing and data mining can make or break a business... This is why you need a chief data officer.
2014 D. Neef Digital Exhaust (2015) x. 193 The growth in chief data officers..reflects the growing importance of digital skills within a company's leadership.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1297adj.adv.1297