Captain

Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the commander or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, etc. In militaries, the captain is typically at the level of an officer commanding a company or battalion of infantry, a ship, or a battery of artillery, or another distinct unit. It can also be a rank of command in an air force. The term also may be used as an informal or honorary title for persons in similar commanding roles.

Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the commander or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, etc. In militaries, the captain is typically at the level of an officer commanding a company or battalion of infantry, a ship, or a battery of artillery, or another distinct unit. It can also be a rank of command in an air force. The term also may be used as an informal or honorary title for persons in similar commanding roles. ==Etymology== The word "captain" derives from the Middle English "capitane", from Anglo-French "capitain", itself coming from the Latin "caput", meaning "head". It is considered cognate with the Greek word ( , , or "the topmost"), which was used as title for a senior Byzantine military rank and office. The word was Latinized as . Both ultimately derive from the Proto-Indo-European "*káput", also meaning head. ==Occupations or roles== Captain (armed forces), a commissioned officer rank corresponding to NATO OF-2 level. Typically commander of a company size unit, or equivalent. It is also a rank of command in the air force. Captain (naval), a commissioned officer rank in the navy, corresponding to the rank of Army colonel, Air force colonel. Captain (nautical), a licensed person or civilian marine officer who is legally in command of a merchant ship, a yacht or another type of vessel that may or may not be carrying passengers for hire; corresponds to the work condition of shipmaster or, as usually said, master. Captain (airlines), a licensed professional pilot who is legally in command of a civil aircraft; corresponding to the position of pilot in command (PIC). Fire captain, officer in a fire department. Police captain, officer in a police organization. Group captain, a senior commissioned rank in many air forces. Captain of industry, business leader. Captain of the port, harbour (UK) or Coast Guard (USA) post. Precinct captain, political party's representative at an election precinct in the United States. Barangay captain, Head of Barangay (Village) in the Philippines School captain, student elected or appointed to represent the school. Captain Regent, head of state of San Marino. Captain-major, colonial officer of a Portuguese possession. Captain-commandant, a Belgian military rank. Katepano, a senior Byzantine officer (and word from which "captain" derived). Kapudan Pasha Kapitan Cina Captal, a regional title in Southern France. ===South Africa=== Captain is a South African National Defence Force officer rank of the South African Army, South African Air Force, South African Navy, South African Military Health Service ==See also== Captain (sports) Chief executive officer Capitaine (disambiguation) Capitan (disambiguation) El Capitan (disambiguation), Spanish for "The Captain" Kapitan (disambiguation) ==References==

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