term signifying the head or principal part of a thing or person. Thus we say, the chief of a party, the chief of a family, &c. The word is formed of the French chef, "head;" of the Greek κεφαλή, caput, "head;" though Menage derives it from the Italian capo, formed of the Latin caput.

heraldry, is that which takes up all the upper part of the escutcheon from side to side, and represents a man's head. In chief, imports something borne in the chief part or top of the escutcheon.

Chieftain, denotes the captain or chief of any clan, family, or body of men. Thus the chieftains or chiefs of the Highland clans were the principal noblemen or gentlemen of their respective clans. See Clans.