flag-captain
Definition
Noun: A "flag-captain" is the captain of a flagship, which is the vessel that carries a naval flag officer (such as an admiral). This officer commands the ship itself, while the flag officer commands the entire fleet or squadron.
Usage Examples
- (The captain of the admiral's ship prepared the vessel.)
- (The captain handled the ship's operations under the admiral's command.)
Advanced Usage
- "to serve as flag-captain": to hold the position of commanding a flagship.
- He served as flag-captain during the naval campaign in the Mediterranean. (He was the captain of the admiral's ship during that military operation.)
Variants and Related Words
- Flagship (n): the ship that carries the fleet commander and displays his or her flag.
- The flagship led the formation into battle. (The admiral's ship was at the front.)
- Flag officer (n): a naval officer of high rank, such as an admiral, entitled to fly a flag.
- The flag officer gave orders to the entire squadron. (The admiral commanded the fleet.)
Synonyms
- Ship's captain: the commander of a naval vessel.
- Commanding officer: the officer in charge of a military unit or ship.
Related Idioms
- "to fly the flag": to represent one's country or organization, often in a visible or symbolic way.
- The flag-captain flew the admiral's flag proudly as the ship entered port. (The captain displayed the flag representing the admiral's authority.)
Notes
- The term is historically specific to naval contexts and is less common in modern usage, where "captain of the flagship" is more frequently used.