early 15c., "a token, sign, symbol; badge of office, mark or insignia of authority or rank;" also "battle flag, flag or banner of a ship or troop of soldiers," via Scottish, from Old French enseigne (12c.) "mark, symbol, signal; flag, standard, pennant," from Latin insignia (plural); see insignia, which is a doublet of this word. As the word for the soldier who carries the flag, 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. Until 1871 one of the lowest grades of commissioned officers in a British army infantry regiment, also a rank in the American Revolutionary army.
权威例句
1. He had been a naval ensign stationed off Cuba.
他是派驻古巴的海军少尉。
2. Ensign was a retriever, and retrieved everything that wasn't nailed down.
“恩塞恩”是一种能寻回猎物的猎犬,无论什么东西,只要不是用钉子钉牢,它都能找回来.
3. He then waved the tattered ensign above his head.
然后,他将那面支离破碎的旗子高高举过头顶挥舞起来.
4. This rascal had the sassiest bride of any ensign in the old division.
在当时舰队里所有的海军少尉中,就数这家伙的新娘最漂亮了.
5. Those fellows believe that one can't become a general without having served first as an ensign.