Etimology
From Middle English officer, from Anglo-Norman officer, officier, from Old French officer, Late Latin officiarius (“official”), from Latin officium (“office”) + -ārius (“-er”).
noun
officer (plural officers)
One who has a position of authority in a hierarchical organization, especially in military, police or government organizations.
A respectful term of address for an officer, especially a police officer.
One who holds a public office.
An agent or servant imparted with the ability, to some degree, to act on initiative.
(colloquial, military) A commissioned officer.
Examples
Nothing was too small to receive attention, if a supervising eye could suggest improvements likely to conduce to the common welfare. Mr. Gordon Burnage, for instance, personally visited dust-bins and back premises, accompanied by a sort of village bailiff, going his round like a commanding officer doing billets.
Related words
related terms
office
official
officiate
verb
officer (third-person singular simple present officers, present participle officering, simple past and past participle officered)
(transitive) To supply with officers.
(transitive) To command as or like an officer.
Examples
Many of our journals are officered by Irish gentlemen, and their gallant brigade does the penning among us, as their ancestors used to transact the fighting in Europe; and engage under many a flag, to be good friends when the battle is over.
The regular battalions of the regiment, though officered mainly by Anglo-Welshmen of county families, did not normally contain more than about one Welshman in fifty in the ranks.
[A]t least a quarter of those who fought and died in the Great War were prosperous with spacious homes, and to this class belonged nearly all who had ordered and officered the carnage.
Related words
synonyms
direct
conduct
manage
related terms
CO
NCO