tʃi:f n. & adj. --n. 1 a a
leader or
ruler. b
the head of a
tribe,
clan, etc. 2 the head of a
department; the highest
official. 3
Heraldry the upper
third of a
shield. --adj. (usu. attrib.) 1
first in
position,
importance,
influence, etc. (chief engineer). 2
prominent, leading. øChief of Staff the
senior staff
officer of a service or
command. -in-Chief
supreme (Commander-in-Chief). øøchiefdom n. [ME f. OF ch(i)ef ult. f. L caput head]