Captain

(kap'ten: in sea parlance kap'n.) [Fr. capitaine, from L. caput, head.] (Nav.) Anaval officer who commands a ship of war, beneath the rank of rear-admiral and above that of commander. On shipboard also, the title is given to a subordinate officer in charge of a special service; as, captain of a gun, captain of the main-top, & c. -In the merchant-service, the master in command of a ve el is commonly termed captain by courtesy.-(Mil.) The commanding officer of a troop of horse or company of infantry, holding rank next below that of major, and above that of lieutenant.-The term is applied to an officer holding certain civil commands; as, a captain of police, .- Captain-general, the commander-in-chief of a force of militia. The title is, however, more especially applied to a Spanish governor or commander-in-chief of a viceroyalty or prov.; as, the Captain-general of the Philippine Islands. [s. 142]