COLONEL Meaning and
Definition
-
Colonel is a noun that refers to a military rank typically found in the army, air force, or marines. It is used to denote a person of high authority and responsibility within the armed forces.
In most countries, a colonel ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general. The term originated from the Italian word colonnello, which denoted the commander of a column of soldiers.
A colonel is usually characterized by their distinctive insignia, such as epaulettes or shoulder boards displaying their rank. They are responsible for commanding a battalion, regiment, or brigade, depending on the military organization. The role of a colonel involves leading troops in combat, coordinating operations, preparing tactical plans, and ensuring discipline and training within their unit.
Additionally, a colonel may represent their military organization in various administrative and diplomatic capacities. They often liaise with other high-ranking officers, governmental officials, and international partners. In some cases, colonels may also be assigned advisory roles to support senior military officers or civilian officials in matters of defense and strategy.
The rank of colonel is associated with a significant level of expertise, experience, and leadership skills. Those aspiring to become colonels often undergo rigorous military training and qualification programs to attain the necessary knowledge and competencies for their responsibilities.
-
The chief officer of a regiment; lieutenant-colonel, the second officer in a regiment.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for COLONEL *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for COLONEL
Etymology of COLONEL
The word colonel entered English from Middle French coronel around the 16th century. However, the origins of coronel can be traced back to the Italian word colonello. It is believed that colonello was a diminutive form of colonna, meaning column or column of soldiers. The term was used to describe the officer in charge of a regiment, which was typically arranged in a column formation. Over time, the spelling of coronel shifted to colonel in English, but the pronunciation remained the same, leading to the peculiar silent l.
Idioms with the word COLONEL
-
a Colonel Blimp
The idiom "a Colonel Blimp" refers to a person who is old-fashioned, conservative, and out of touch with modern society or progressive ideas. It is derived from the character Colonel Blimp, a fictional figure created by British cartoonist David Low in the early 20th century. Colonel Blimp symbolizes traditional values, rigid attitudes, and a resistance to change. Thus, referring to someone as a "Colonel Blimp" implies that they are stubbornly clinging to outdated beliefs or practices.
-
Colonel Blimp
The idiom "Colonel Blimp" refers to a person who is conservative, old-fashioned, and narrow-minded, often used to mock individuals with outdated views or who cling to traditional ways of thinking. It is derived from the fictional Colonel Blimp character created by cartoonist David Low, who symbolized these characteristics.
Similar spelling words for COLONEL
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
