a person possessed of a post or office. See the preceding article.

Commission-Officers, are those appointed by the king's commission: such are all from the general to the cornet inclusive, who are thus denominated in contradiction to warrant-officers, who are appointed by the colonel's or captain's warrant, as quarter-masters, sergeants, corporals, and even chaplains and surgeons.

Field Officers are such as command a whole regiment, as the colonel, lieutenant-colonel, and major.

Flag Officers. See Flag-officers, and Admiral.

General Officers are those whose command is not limited to a single company, troop, or regiment; but extends to a body of forces, composed of several regiments; such are the general, lieutenant-general, major-generals, and brigadiers.

Officers of the household. See Household.

Staff-Officers are such as, in the king's presence, bear a white staff, or wand; and at other times, on their going abroad, have it carried before them by a footman bare-headed: such are the lord steward, lord chamberlain, lord treasurer, &c.

The white staff is taken for a commission, and at the king's death each of these officers breaks his staff over the hearse made for the king's body, and by this means lays down his commission, and discharges all his inferior officers.

Subaltern-Officers are all who administer justice in the name of subjects; as those who act under the earl marshal, admiral, &c. In the army, the subaltern officers are the lieutenants, cornets, ensigns, serjeants, and corporals.