commander

Meaning

Noun

• One who exercises control and direction of a military or naval organization.
• A naval officer whose rank is above that of a lieutenant commander and below that of captain.
• One who exercises control and direction over a group of persons.
• A designation or rank in certain non-military organizations such as NASA and various police forces.
• The chief officer of a commandry.
• A heavy beetle or wooden mallet, used in paving, in sail lofts, etc.
• A rank within an honorary order: e.g. Commander of the Legion of Honour.
• Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the Asian genus Moduza (genus).

Origin

• From Middle English comaundour, commaunder, comaunder, borrowed from Old French comandeor, cumandeur, from comander. See command.