ensign staff
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of ensign staff
First recorded in 1700–10
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A pennant on the mizen peak or ensign staff if any ship bear away from the enemy to stop a leak.
From Fighting Instructions, 1530-1816 Publications Of The Navy Records Society Vol. XXIX. by Julian S. (Julian Stafford) Corbett
Her stern was high out of water, the red ensign of England flapping impotently on the ensign staff.
From The Diary of a U-boat Commander With an Introduction and Explanatory Notes by Etienne by Sir Stephen King-Hall
The second craft was still hull-down; but her masts, funnels, tops of her ventilators, and the head of her ensign staff were all visible; and Mildmay noticed that she was showing no colours.
From With Airship and Submarine A Tale of Adventure by Edward S. Hodgson
When the admiral would have the other squadrons to make more sail, though himself shorten sail, a white ensign shall be put on the ensign staff of the admiral's ships.
From Fighting Instructions, 1530-1816 Publications Of The Navy Records Society Vol. XXIX. by Julian S. (Julian Stafford) Corbett
If it was necessary for the men to pass to any other part of the ship, such as to the ensign staff, for instance, they had to climb over the sacks.
From The Cruise of the Thetis A Tale of the Cuban Insurrection by Cyrus Cuneo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
