Of"fi*cer (?), n. [F. officier. See Office, and cf. Official, n.]
1.
One who holds an office; a person lawfully invested with an office, whether civil, military, or ecclesiastical; as, a church officer; a police officer; a staff officer.
"I am an
officer of state."
Shak.
2. U. S. Mil.
Specifically, a commissioned officer, in distinction from a warrant officer.
Field officer, General officer, etc. See under Field, General. etc. -- Officer of the day Mil., the officer who, on a given day, has charge for that day of the quard, prisoners, and police of the post or camp. -- Officer of the deck, ∨ Officer of the watch Naut., the officer temporarily in charge on the deck of a vessel, esp. a war vessel.
© Webster 1913.
Of"fi*cer, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Officered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Officering.]
1.
To furnish with officers; to appoint officers over.
Marshall.
2.
To command as an officer; as, veterans from old regiments officered the recruits.
© Webster 1913.