Chider
(Chid"er) n. One who chides or quarrels. Shak.
Chideress
(Chid"er*ess), n. She who chides. [Obs.]
Chidester
(Chide"ster) n. [Chide + -ster.] A female scold. [Obs.]
Chidingly
(Chid"ing*ly) adv. In a chiding or reproving manner.
Chief
(Chief) n. [OE. chief, chef, OF. chief, F. chef, fr. L. caput head, possibly akin to E. head. Cf.
Captain, Chapter]
1. The head or leader of any body of men; a commander, as of an army; a head man, as of a tribe, clan,
or family; a person in authority who directs the work of others; the principal actor or agent.
2. The principal part; the most valuable portion.
The chief of the things which should be utterly destroyed.
1 Sam. xv. 21
3. (Her.) The upper third part of the field. It is supposed to be composed of the dexter, sinister, and
middle chiefs.
In chief.
(a) At the head; as, a commander in chief. (b) (Eng. Law) From the king, or sovereign; as,
tenure in chief, tenure directly from the king.
Syn. — Chieftain; captain; general; commander; leader; head; principal; sachem; sagamore; sheik. — Chief,
chieftain, Commander, Leader. These words fluctuate somewhat in their meaning according to circumstances,
but agree in the general idea of rule and authority. The term chief is now more usually applied to one
who is a head man, leader, or commander in civil or military affairs, or holds a hereditary or acquired
rank in a tribe or clan; as, the chief of police; the chief of an Indian tribe. A chieftain is the chief of a
clan or tribe , or a military leader. A commander directs the movements of or has control over a body
of men, as a military or naval force. A leader is one whom men follow, as in a political party, a legislative
body, a military or scientific expedition, etc., one who takes the command and gives direction in particular
enterprises.
Chief
(Chief), a.
1. Highest in office or rank; principal; head. "Chief rulers." John. xii. 42.
2. Principal or most eminent in any quality or action; most distinguished; having most influence; taking the
lead; most important; as, the chief topic of conversation; the chief interest of man.
3. Very intimate, near, or close. [Obs.]
A whisperer separateth chief friends.
Prov. xvi. 28.
Syn. — Principal; head; leading; main; paramount; supreme; prime; vital; especial; great; grand; eminent; master.
Chiefage
(Chief"age) n. [OF. chevage, fr. chief head. See Chief.] A tribute by the head; a capitation
tax. [Written also chevage and chivage.] [Obs.]
Chief baron
(Chief" bar"on) (Eng. Law) The presiding judge of the court of exchequer.
Chiefest
(Chief"est), a. [Superl. of Chief.] First or foremost; chief; principal. [Archaic] "Our chiefest
courtier." Shak.
The chiefest among ten thousand.
Canticles v. 10.