colonel
/ˈkɜːrnl/
EN
A high-ranking military officer rank, typically above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general.
The colonel ordered his troops to prepare for the morning mission.
Etymology
Derived from 16th-century Italian 'colonello', meaning commander of a column of troops, adopted into French before entering English. The unusual spelling developed from early French orthography and was retained even as pronunciation shifted.
Translations
Related Words
lieutenant colonelbrigadier generalmilitary officer