captain
UK: ˈkæptɪn | US: ˈkæptən
n. the person in command of a ship, aircraft, or sports team
n. a rank in the military or naval forces
vt. to lead or command as a captain
The word "captain" traces back to Latin caput (head), reflecting the idea of leadership. Through Old French captain, it entered Middle English with the sense of "military commander." Over time, it expanded to maritime and sports contexts, retaining its core meaning of authority and command. The morpheme capt preserves the original Latin root's connection to "taking charge," while -ain solidifies its role as a title.
The captain steered the ship through the storm.
She was promoted to captain in the army last year.
He will captain the soccer team in the upcoming tournament.
The airline captain announced a delay due to bad weather.
Pirates obeyed their captain without question.