Bei Naturvölkern der anerkannte Führer einer Gemeinschaft (Lokalgruppe, Dorf, Stamm).
ETYM Old Eng. cheftayn, chevetayn, Old Fren. chevetain, French capitaine, Late Lat. capitanus, from Latin caput head. Related to Captain, and see chief.
A captain, leader, or commander; a chief; the head of a troop, army, or clan. SYN. Chief; commander; leader; head. See Chief.