Definition

Noun: 1. The leader of a tribe or clan: A person who holds the highest authority, power, or status within a traditional social group of families or communities, often linked by kinship, culture, or territory.

Usage

The term "tribal chief" is used to refer to the traditional leader of a specific group. It is a formal and descriptive title. * The tribal chief presided over the council meeting to settle the dispute. * According to their customs, the new tribal chief is chosen from among the elders. * The government sought to negotiate with the tribal chief of the region.

Advanced Usage

• "Paramount chief": A chief who has authority over several other chiefs or sub-chiefs within a larger tribal structure.
  • The paramount chief had influence over all the villages in the valley.
• The role of a can vary significantly between cultures, encompassing roles such as judge, military leader, spiritual guide, or diplomatic representative.

Variants and Related Words

• Chieftain (n.): A synonym for a tribal chief, often used in historical or anthropological contexts.
  • The Scottish chieftain led his clan into battle.
• Chiefdom (n.): The territory, people, or rank of a chief.
  • He inherited the chiefdom from his father.
• Headman (n.): A leader of a tribe, village, or community; sometimes used interchangeably with chief, though it can imply a smaller or more local scale of leadership.

Synonyms

• Leader
• Head
• Chieftain
• Ruler (in a tribal context)

Related Phrases

• Chief of the tribe: A more explicit phrasing with the same meaning.
  • He was recognized as the chief of the tribe.
• To succeed as chief: To become the next chief, often through inheritance or selection.
  • The eldest son was expected to succeed as chief.

Noun

1. the head of a tribe or clan