1. A flag; a banner; a standard; esp., the national flag, or a banner indicating nationality, carried by a ship or a body of soldiers; -- as distinguished from flags indicating divisions of the army, rank of naval officers, or private signals, and the like.
4. (a) Formerly, a commissioned officer of the army who carried the ensign or flag of a company or regiment.
(b) A commissioned officer of the lowest grade in the navy, corresponding to the grade of second lieutenant in the army.